Last week, Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia further cemented Jens Lehmann’s place on the bench by signing a long-term contract extension. The details have not been disclosed due to a club policy stipulating that they will not reveal information about player contracts.

In the spirit of the occasion, I have decided to have a look at some uncertain Premier League goalkeeping situations in recent times and how they precipitated.

ARSENAL

This is a well-documented saga, and seems like an appropriate starting point for any discussion about goalkeeper rotation. Jens Lehmann started the season as the undisputed number one, starting in the Gunners opening day victory against Fulham (although he let in a shocking goal), their first match in the Champions League against Sparta Prague (clean sheet victory), and their August draw against Blackburn.

However, a run of Achilles and elbow injuries to Lehmann allowed Almunia to step in and be the first choice goalkeeper (except in the Carling Cup) well through the present day. Lehmann was reduced to watching from the bench – although he was not quiet about it – and playing in FA Cup matches, which he was promised by Arsene Wenger.

Honestly, I think the story of Almunia v Lehmann would be a much quieter one if the German would just keep his mouth shut. Goalkeepers need to be prepared to act professionally in times of trouble, especially since there is only one spot on the pitch at a time for us. Up until the time Oliver Kahn retired from international football, Lehmann was always after him as well.

My verdict: Having watched both Lehmann and Almunia play for Arsenal, I can understand why Wenger would go with Almunia as his first-choice goalkeeper. Jens Lehmann is not a bad goalkeeper, but I have seen Almunia make far less mistakes. Almunia also seems to have better control of his temper, and is an overall more professional player. If Lehmann ever finally decides to leave the Emirates Stadium like he threatened to but failed to actually do in January, the club will not be greatly affected.

CHELSEA

Three goalkeepers on the books at Chelsea Football Club have seen action in the past year: Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini, and Hilario. However, this rotation policy is not based on the new manager or a sudden loss of form, but instead on a series of injuries that have come at unfortunate times.

This comedy (or tragedy) of injuries started last season when Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were both seriously injured in the same match. Cech fractured his skull and Cudicini suffered a concussion, leaving captain and resident big bloke John Terry to put on the gloves.

The last month has been poor for Cech in terms of injuries. Cudicini played almost every match of a busy March fixture list for Chelsea after the Czech suffered an ankle injury. Just as he was set to make his mark on the league again, Cech suffers a facial injury in training and has to have fifty stitches.

Chelsea are lucky that Cudicini has decided to stick around and play in their less significant matches when Cech is healthy. There has been a long debate about whether or not the Italian should find a new club, because he is certainly good enough to be playing regularly.

In a more recent development, Hilario will get a few matches also, with Carlo Cudicini injuring himself in the Champions League clash with Fenerbahce. Eighteen year-old Rhys Taylor will likely be on the bench for Chelsea. One can’t help but feel sorry for Cudicini – finally, another chance to get a good run of important matches and he picks up an injury.

My verdict: Although it is honorable of Carlo Cudicini to stay at Chelsea, his recent form has begun to show signs of the rust a player gets from sitting on the bench too often. Against Barnsley and Olympiakos, he was shaky on crosses, and he has constantly seemed to be less of a goalkeeper than before, at least in my eyes. If he wants to maintain his status as a high-level goalkeeper, he needs to look at moving to another club.

FULHAM

This is another tale of two keepers in West London; although I would like to state that the goalkeeper back-and-forth is anything but responsible for their unenviable position in the table.

The main idea is something like this: Antti Niemi is Fulham’s first choice goalkeeper, and the club buys American veteran Kasey Keller to back him up. Niemi has a poor run of form and Keller takes over. Keller gets injured and Niemi takes over. Niemi plays poorly again, and Keller takes over again, and that’s where things stand at the moment.

I’ll slow it down for the sake of a lengthy explanation. Fulham signed Niemi to a new deal in July and bought Kasey Keller from Borussia Mönchengladbach in August. Tony Warner was the number one at the time because of an arm injury to Niemi. Keller played until Niemi returned, and then Niemi played and Keller watched from the bench and played a reserve match now and again.

After a run which saw Fulham win only two matches out of nine, Keller took over between the sticks. The results still didn’t go Fulham’s way, as has been the story of their season, and Keller picked up an arm injury. Later, after Niemi had a few more matches, Hodgson gave Keller the starting job back.

My verdict: Personally, I don’t know why Roy Hodgson (or Lawrie Sanchez before him) even thinks Niemi is the same class as Keller. Niemi has a tough time controlling the eighteen yard box and is mostly known for the one good season he had, with Southampton. He bases his play more on agility and quickness, but Keller is a better man for the job because the English game demands goalkeepers that control their box like he does.

It has been an interesting season in England, just as it should be. Goalkeeping jobs are won and lost every week, and everybody is being criticized for dropping one shot that didn’t even rebound into a dangerous position. Overall, the pressure on goalkeepers is as high as it has ever been, and managers continually search for the right man to handle that pressure. As the season comes to its most crucial point – when champions are crowned, losers are relegated, and the clubs’ bankrolls adjusts accordingly – safe hands become even more desirable.

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