Between the posts

Since the time I’ve supported Arsenal till the present-day, this club have always the distinction of having a long line of great goalkeepers. From Jennings, Lukic, Seaman, Manninger to Lehmann. They were absolutely flawless between the posts.

My personal favourite was Pat Jennings. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Padang many years ago. He was with Tony Woodcock, another Arsenal great. They were in Singapore for some SCC six or seven-a-side football tournament.

The strong line of keepers at Arsenal seems like a tradition. They are the rock, they are pretty calm, instilling confidence among the backline. Their magical hands plucked swung-in crosses with ease and great composure. They offered near-impossible goalmouth saves with their renowned reflexes.

Pat Jennings, very often, made the goalkeeping task look so easy. He just had that great positional sense. To me, Jennings is the Gentle Giant. John Lukic, the tall custodian was to me, the unfashionable and unspectacular keeper. Wait a minute… he is also the great shot-stopper, and his great goal kicks can start a wave of Arsenal attack right from the goalmouth.

Turning to David Seaman, another Highbury great. I think he is among the best in England, besides Banks, Shilton and Clemence. Seaman was pretty the top flight keeper during the 90s. He was faultless, very much the finished article. Many a times, he left us wondering on how did he manage to pull off those humanly impossible saves. He claimed crosses with the slightest of fuss and goalmouth ball melee were rescued with extreme calm. In short, he was simply sensational.

Calm. Never a term to describe Jens Lehmann. This German is one hot-headed chap with a liking for the occassional madness. But, I must say he was absolutely magnificent during the run-up to the Champions League Final in Paris last year. If not for his goalmouth reflex claw against Real Madrid and that penalty save against Riquelme, Arsenal wouldn’t have made their way to the Final against Barcelona.

Of course, there are also Jimmy Rimmer, George Wood, Vince Bartram, Alan Miller, Stuart Taylor, Richard Wright, Mart Poom and Manuel Almunia.

So, we have it… the great custodians of Arsenal. With Lehmann’s possible exit at the end of season 2006/07… who will be next? Scott Carson? Only Le Boss knows.