Seaman: Competition is great for keepers

He may have paired a ponytail with a moustache in the least rock and roll way possible, but for all his follicle faux pas David Seaman still represents one of Arsenal’s greatest ever keepers.

As such it’s interesting to hear his take on the current situation at the Emirates where the owner of the number one shirt, Wojciech Szczesny, is benched in place of Lukasz Fabianski, a man who looks almost certain to leave to the club this summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the manner in which he took confidence from his lengthy stint as the Gunners’ undisputed first choice stopper, the three-time Championship winning Yorkshireman highlighted that competition is healthy given the comparative lack of experience of Arsene Wenger’s current keeper options.

“When I was there, I was there for ages so it was great for my confidence,” reflected ‘Safe Hands’.

“Jens Lehmann was a quality goalkeeper. People remember him for being crazy but he was a quality goalkeeper.

“Since then, you’ve got a lot young goalkeepers coming in and it’s not easy for them.

“Arsenal’s a massive club and you’re under so much pressure all the time and it can sometimes get to the younger goalkeepers.

“I don’t know [if Szczesny will win back his place]. It’s quite interesting with Fabianski doing really well.

“He’s worked really hard since his injury and he looks totally different goalkeeper. But it’s great to have that competition.”

In other news Theo Walcott says he wants Arsenal to be consistent, while Arsene Wenger wants Theo Walcott to be consistent.

“We shouldn’t have to get a bad result and then perform well in the next game. It should always be there,” Theo told Arsenal.com.

“The guys have got it. Mentally, they are very strong. It’s realising how we cope when we come back from those disappointing results. We just need to do it every week – it’s as simple as that,” he concluded.

Arsene Wenger meanwhile, responding to suggestions Walcott’s lack of goals is down to a drop in motivation after sealing his six-figure weekly pay packet, has made clear that it’s probably got nothing to do with the cash and more to do with Theo being a bit average injured.

“I don’t think that is linked, especially with the fact that he has signed a contract or not. Because you can say as well he is more secure, he can express himself.

“I don’t see any difference in attitude in training. He is a guy who loves football, who stays after training, works on his finishing.

“He was just a bit less decisive. He needs that fraction of a second to make the difference. He needs his pace.

“In recent games he dropped a little bit. I think it was the fact that he got the muscular injury, so it was down to fatigue.

“At Bayern, he did not have the greatest game but he still brought the goal and he looks dangerous. Until recently he made the difference time after time. He will come back.”