Arsenal opinion: Gunners should reignite interest in Jasper Cillessen
Before the start of the 2018/19 season, both Arsenal and Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for Barcelona back-up goalkeepr Jasper Cillessen (ESPN). The former Ajax man has been playing second fiddle to Marc Andre Ter-Stegen since his move to Barcelona in the summer of 2016.
It was then that Barcelona lost Claudio Bravo to Manchester City and opted to bring in Cillessen. However, since the, the 29-year-old has made just 28 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, including just 7 appearances this season.
He’s yet to make his debut in the La Liga this season and has made just two appearances in the Spanish top-tier over the last two seasons. This further emphasizes why the Dutchman needs to make a move away from the Catalans.
He needs regular game time, especially if the Netherlands are to have any chance of potentially winning the 2020 Euros.
Jasper Cillessen has already revealed that he would be open to a move to England (Evening Standard), and that is something Arsenal need to take advantage of. They already have Petr Cech retiring at the end of the season and though Bernd Leno has done brilliantly, he needs competition.
David Ospina is not likely to stay at the club, with Napoli open to a move for the Colombian goalkeeper next summer (Mirror).
This would leave Arsenal with just Leno and Emiliano Martinez, which is bad news for a club chasing Champions League football. They need someone with experience and a player who has proven to be a big hit.
This perfectly describes Jasper Cillessen and shows why Arsenal should re-enter the race for the Dutchman. At the age of 29, Cillessen is at an age where he is wise and old enough to make the right decisions
His existing skills and shot-stopping ability means that he would be the right man to replace Cech. Given his age and willingness to move, this does make him a great option as a player to give Bernd Leno some competition.
That would stop the German from becoming too complacent over the next few years and at the same time, help improve his ability.
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Conclusion
Arsenal need a new goalkeeper next season. They cannot afford to have only one first-team keeper, and Emiliano Martinez has not shown that he can be a reliable option.
Jasper Cillessen is more than a reliable option and the offer to play first-team football could be too good to resist for the 29-year-old the coming summer.