This morning, Arsenal confirmed that Manu Zinsberger has signed a new contract with the club. The 28-year-old signed from Bayern Munich in 2019 and has been first choice more or less ever since.
Arsenal Women coach Jonas Eidevall says he is delighted to have been able to get Zinsberger to commit her future to the club, after the club triggered a one-year option in her previous contract last spring.
‘I think Manu has been very good for us, both on the pitch with her football but also as a leader in the group and as a person setting really high standards for herself and for the team and really happy to have her as part of the goalkeeping team going forward,’ Eidevall said.
Since Zinsberger’s arrival at Arsenal, the likes of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Lydia Williams, Fran Stenson and Sabrina D’Angelo also ariving but Zinsberger has managed to retain her status as number 1 throughout this period. Arseblog News asked Eidevall about Zinsberger’s ability to compete and work with other goalkeepers.
‘She is very competitive and she works great as a team with our other goalkeepers as well. You can see from her journey that she picks things up from other goalkeepers. She has developed her play with her feet, her longer range distribution since Sabrina (D’Angelo) came in and that is one of Sabrina’s strengths.
‘I very much see that as a benefit with goalkeepers when they work in partnerships that they can complement each other but they can also see each other’s strengths and that is something I can develop by seeing it so closely.
‘This works the other way around with Sabrina too. That growth mindset with Manu plays a big part in her playing so well and so often for us.’ Zinsberger is 28 with around 250 appearances for Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Austria behind her. Arseblog News asked Eidevall about Zinsberger’s continued development as she approaches her prime years.
💬 “Stepping on the pitch, feeling the crowd cheering us on, it just gives me goosebumps. I can’t describe that feeling.”
What a sold-out Emirates Stadium means ❤️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 19, 2024
‘You are spot on with the age perspective, it differs so much with goalkeepers compared to outfield players. Their peak age is usually 24-28. With goalkeepers their peak age is usually after 30.
‘That is such a big difference and it comes from experience you need to have in the position and the decision making. That is so exciting with Manu, we believe and she believes that she has the best of her footballing years ahead of her.’ Eidevall repeated his assertion that Arsenal will bring in short-term goalkeeper cover next month.
‘We are still looking for a short-term solution in the period around and potentially a bit after the Gold Cup when we most likely will lose Sabrina D’Angelo to the Gold Cup. That is not impacted at all by Manu’s contract.’ Arseblog News understands that solution is likely to be former Lyon goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi, who is a free agent and can be signed outside the transfer window.
Interesting. The competition Manu has faced for her place could have been tougher – PPM is top class, the other keepers have not been – but you do still have to credit her with responding well to the challenge.
So from what Jonas says, they do still see her and Sabs vying for the shirt and are expecting it to bring out the best in both of them.
Do you see Manu as one of the top goalkeepers in the world? I think she is very good but I am a bit surprised if the club see her as the number one going forward after being linked with some of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Let’s hope that kills off any hope of signing the gobby and over rated Earps.
I’ve never been Manu’s greatest fan but she has improved a huge amount since she arrived so let’s hope that she hasn’t peaked yet!