‘I don’t get it.. I cannot understand how a manager can come to the conclusion that it’s a great thing to have competition for the number one shirt.

‘A goalkeeper’s position is very reactive. You cannot create anything on your own, you have to wait for things to happen.

‘You’re now asking your goalkeeper to prove you’re better than the other one. That means you now have to go and do stuff, and you don’t want that. It’s the one position on the pitch where you just want steady.

‘When you have a competition situation he also plays that game for himself and for that position, and I don’t get it.

Peter Schmeichel

This statement was given by one of the most influential and possibly one of the greatest goalkeepers in history. It came after the confirmation that Arsenal FC had taken steps to acquire David Raya, the goalkeeper from Brentford United, in order to compete for the top goalkeeper position. Peter Schmeichel, along with several pundits and former professional goalkeepers including Shay Given, expressed surprise and skepticism about this move. Their doubts revolved around the judgment of Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta, in making such a controversial choice.

The reactions from various Twitter accounts, marked by handles like twitter-X, were intense and sparked heated debates among both football fans and the goalkeeping community. As the commotion settled and the transfer deal was finalized, a thought-provoking question emerged: Has a goalkeeper’s position at an elite level ever truly been guaranteed? To answer this, it’s crucial to closely examine the arguments made and the opposing viewpoints regarding Mikel Arteta’s decision. By doing so, we can determine whether these arguments and opposition hold valid justification.

The Case Against Competition

When a seasoned former professional expresses an opinion about a specific topic within their area of expertise, it garners significant attention and initiates varied discussions and biased viewpoints among the audience. To my understanding, Peter Schmeichel’s statement insinuated that Arsenal FC head coach Mikel Arteta was mistaken in introducing competition for the top goalkeeper position. The issue with this perspective, and I’m not alone in this viewpoint, is that it carries a bias and lacks the necessary qualifications to meet the highest standards of excellence in the professional realm. Does Peter Schmeichel oppose the idea of competition in his evaluation? The prevailing belief in the sport is that a team should possess a primary goalkeeper and a secondary goalkeeper as a backup. However, this belief has become outdated as the differences in goalkeeping abilities, statistical and analytical metrics, and subjective variables are converging, where a distinct strategic advantage sets individuals apart. Currently, in the English Premier League (EPL), most goalkeepers are at a similar level. To support this theory, if one were to poll football fans about the best EPL goalkeeper, a definitive winner wouldn’t emerge due to the current subjective nature of the assessment. On a personal level, I would not be content as a professional to be know as a backup keeper for the team which insinuates that my game appearances are severely limited and dependent on the fitness of the so called first choice goalkeeper.

What adds to the fascination is the substantial agreement among numerous fans and members of the goalkeeping community with Peter Schmeichel’s statement. The question arises: what leads to such a consensus? The answer lies in the perception that a ‘confirmed’ primary goalkeeper brings a sense of steadiness to the team, particularly to its defensive line. This notion holds true to a certain extent. Conversely, the converse holds as well, concerning the detrimental impact of an entrenched first-choice goalkeeper when their effectiveness diminishes over a specific period.

In the meantime, the backup goalkeeper finds themselves resigned to a role where they are only called upon in rare crisis situations. This position, though infrequent, doesn’t empower them. Nonetheless, several backup goalkeepers at the elite level have come to terms with this perceived reality, often at the cost of their personal growth and career aspirations. This highlights the importance for every top-tier team to cultivate a competitive environment for the primary goalkeeper role. Such an atmosphere would help the team achieve its ambitions and objectives.

While this concept appears uncomplicated, putting it into practice is complex and necessitates significant changes in coaching methodologies across various departments. Despite the challenges, delving into the longstanding notion of an established first-choice goalkeeper reveals that the primary driving objectives include: –

• The goalkeeper Metrics and Statistical data
• The goalkeeper’s Contract

Goalkeeping metrics and data

The criteria for determining a primary goalkeeper is now based on the comprehensive collection and analysis of statistical data spanning a considerable timeframe. This transformation has become feasible within the last ten years, largely due to the advancements in technology. In earlier times, the art of goalkeeping was still developing, and the attributes associated with it were in their nascent stages, making it relatively straightforward to recognize naturally talented goalkeepers. However, with the advent of cutting-edge, meticulously structured training programs for goalkeepers and the utilization of data analysis, contemporary goalkeepers have the capacity to unlock and exhibit considerably enhanced skill sets compared to two decades ago. To illustrate this point, we can examine the statistical metrics for the 2022/2023 Premier League season, as provided by Squawka, which offer a comparative analysis of the performance metrics of David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale.

The crucial elements of data to concentrate on are the amalgamation of saves statistics and distribution metrics. What can be confirmed from this provided information is its quantifiable nature. Consequently, the qualitative dimension, which holds subjectivity and is essential for making comparisons, is missing. Furthermore, it’s essential to consider the significant variations in the game dynamics that both goalkeepers experience over the season. These differences arise from the caliber of the teams they play for. This factor holds importance because relying solely on quantifiable data collection can lead to skewed information that is mistakenly seen as accurate evaluation. Considering all available information, it can be deduced that there is minimal disparity between the two goalkeepers. Essentially, they find themselves in a favorable position to vie for the top spot. This scenario aligns with the desires of a head coach aiming to achieve significant major honors in the contemporary landscape of the sport.

For those who hold idealistic views, the conventional approach of selecting the top goalkeeper solely based on statistical and analytical data is quickly losing relevance. Relying solely on data metrics for assessment is no longer considered a valid norm, as Mikel Arteta has demonstrated. This is because personal development and growth are factors that cannot be overlooked. They have the potential to significantly overhaul an individual’s data metrics and provide a distinct advantage. The fundamental truth here is that when each player on a team is assured a position as the “top choice,” the team is likely to perform below their potential. This is because the team’s lack of ambition, which arises from the absence of competition for these positions, is evident. This situation can be attributed to a deficiency in leadership.

Goalkeepers Contract

This stands as one of the primary and fundamental reasons why a goalkeeper secures the position of being the first choice within a team. In the realm of football transactions involving agents, players, and clubs, agents aim to strategically position and exploit their clients’ interests to their advantage. When representing an elite goalkeeper, an agent will go to great lengths to ensure their client secures the most advantageous arrangement, often involving commercial contracts such as sponsorship deals. Many of these intricate deals are contingent on the number and significance of the matches the client participates in throughout the contract’s duration. In instances of crucial and unconventional circumstances, the contracts of existing goalkeepers within a club might need to be adjusted to accommodate the arrival of the elite goalkeeper, especially if the demands of the newcomer cannot be met due to pre-existing contractual obligations.

An important observation is that being a top-tier goalkeeper in today’s modern football does not necessarily mean having superior skills compared to a counterpart. Take, for instance, the case of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who Athletic Bilbao sold to Chelsea FC for a record-breaking goalkeeper price of £71.6 million in 2018. Despite this, his performance at the club has been inconsistent. At one point, he even lost his position as the primary goalkeeper to Édouard Mendy. However, he managed to reclaim the number one spot and finish the 2022/2023 season. Currently, he is on loan to Real Madrid for the 2023/2024 season, filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

This situation prompts the question: why did Chelsea opt to loan out Kepa while selling Mendy, only to acquire Robert Sánchez from Brighton and Hove for £20 million? There are various viewpoints regarding these events, but it can be inferred that a high price tag does not necessarily translate to possessing superior skillsets.

Instances like these are frequently observed, where intricate and profitable contracts can mislead ordinary football fans into thinking that the goalkeeper possesses exceptional skills. Additionally, rigid contracts assuring the topmost position tend to discourage healthy competition among substitute goalkeepers, as they perceive their roles as merely backing up the primary choice.

Conclusion

The fundamental reality is that Aaron Ramsdale required a skilled goalkeeper to challenge and encourage him in honing his abilities. This progression will undoubtedly prove advantageous for both him and Arsenal in the long term, enhancing their value. If Arteta believed that Ramsdale completely fulfilled the team’s objectives as a goalkeeper, he wouldn’t have acquired Raya. Schmeichel, drawing from his own experiences in the game, should recognize this scenario. As football enthusiasts, we occasionally overvalue goalkeepers’ quality and prowess, neglecting the comprehensive criteria essential to elevate one’s performance beyond just the physical and mental facets.

Upon taking over as Manchester City’s manager in 2016, Pep Guardiola’s initial move was to bench the then England number one goalkeeper, Joe Hart, and substitute him with Claudio Bravo. This decision raised controversy among many. Similarly, Chelsea witnessed a comparable situation when Thomas Tuchel assumed the managerial role and replaced the costly £71.6 million goalkeeper, Kepa, with Édouard.

Hence, the extensive attention surrounding Mikel Arteta’s decision baffles me. It’s important to consistently remember that we frequently overestimate the capabilities of so-called elite goalkeepers. We must adopt a more practical approach to assessing our understanding of what truly defines an elite goalkeeper. Additionally, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the goalkeeper position is just as fiercely competitive as any other spot on the field. In a scenario where various options are available, and with well-defined ambitions of securing major honors, nothing is set in stone.

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