The French international goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Arsenal. Is he needed?
There are few better goalkeepers in world football than Hugo Lloris, and at 25-years-old, the time has seemingly come for him to fly the Lyon nest and test himself elsewhere.
Lyon’s president Jean-Michael Aulas has confirmed that the goalkeeper will be available ‘at the right price’ – thought to be around £15 million.
Three top Premier League clubs have been linked; Liverpool, who are unlikely to sell Pepe Reina, Tottenham, and Arsenal.
The Liverpool link is likely a red herring, and we wonder if the same is true of Arsenal?
The Gunners have had goalkeeping difficulties in recent years, but with the emergence of Wojciech Szczesny over the past 18 months, the problems seem to have evaporated.
Yes, the Polish stopper had a disappointing Euro 2012, but judging him on the basis of one game would be foolish, especially compared to his very good season last year.
Szczesny is only 22, and will only get better with age. Lloris is untested in the Premier League, and while an astute stopper, to sign him would be an extravagance Arsenal do not need.
It would be a tough break for Szczesny, surely if Arsenal are to sign a second goalkeeper they need either a veteran happy to be second choice, or a young rival to the Pole, not an established international.
Manchester United found out to their cost the difficulty which can come from having two star goalkeepers last season. The battle between David de Gea and Anders Lindegaard unsettled the defence, and negatively effected De Gea’s confidence levels.
It remains to be seen next season whether the club can find a solution when both are fit. Do Arsenal need to give themselves this kind of selection headache? The quick answer is no.
Many may see Lloris as too good to pass up, especially if it prevents him signing for rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
But the Gunners should not concern themselves with what Spurs do, and leave Szczesny be as number one, so far – he has earned it.
Is Lloris too good for Arsenal to pass on? Or should they steer clear?
image: © korobukkuru
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