Rohan Sengupta
Why Arsenal should not pursue Yann Sommer and stick with Petr Cech
As per reports, Arsenal are in ‘advanced talks’ to complete the signing of goalkeeper Yann Sommer from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Arsenal have already brought in Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, despite already having David Ospina and Petr Cech as usual keepers. It looks like Ospina will be the one to leave the Gunners.
The Gunners, under the new management of Unai Emery, have gone all out this summer to solve all the problems that were responsible for holding them back in the last few years under Arsene Wenger.
Replacing Wenger, a man who was at the helm of a club over two decades isn’t an easy task but Emery’s initial work in the transfer market has given a sense of optimism to the fans.
Emery has brought in defensive reinforcements and when combined them with the attacking stars Arsenal already have, the squad gives a bright and vibrant look.
The Spaniard has also seemingly solved the goalkeeping conundrum by signing the reliable and experienced Leno from Bundesliga. The addition of Leno could see either of Cech or Ospina leave but the latter’s time at the Emirates looks to be up.
But there appears to be a twist in the tale; Alisson Becker’s move to Liverpool recently has left AS Roma wanting a new goalkeeper and they have reportedly targeted Cech to replace the Brazilian. Due to interest from Roma for Cech, Emery, perhaps, wants to sign Sommer this summer as a back-up for Leno.
But it would be wise if Emery shuns the opportunity to sign Sommer and instead, stick with Cech. Sommer was Switzerland’s first-choice goalkeeper at the recently concluded World Cup and has been impressive at both FC Basel and Gladbach in recent years.
There is no doubting Sommer’s quality between the sticks but Emery must avoid signing him at any cost as it doesn’t make any sense.
Sommer is 29 and is the undisputed first-choice in goal for Gladbach and Switzerland. To leave a first-team spot at Gladbach for being a back-up at Arsenal defies logic.
No doubt, Arsenal will have two solid goalkeepers if they succeed in landing Sommer but if the Switzerland international as well as Leno struggle in the Premier League, Emery will be left with a serious conundrum then.
Ideally, Leno is supposed to learn from Cech and the two would both improve working together. Cech has one year left on his contract at the Emirates and there is no reason as to why he can’t be the club’s Europa League goalkeeper and a back-up to Leno.
In fact, bringing in a new goalkeeper would not help Leno’s confidence as the German prepares for his debut Premier League campaign.
Keeping everything in mind, Emery must not sign Sommer from Gladbach.
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