By Ollie Irish
The majority of football rumourmongs seem certain that Shay Given will join Arsenal from Man City this week, probably on loan.
Arsenal crave a top-class goalkeeper, but why the hell would Roberto Mancini want to strengthen the team of a title rival and simultaneously weaken his own squad (especially after he had a goalkeeping mini-crisis last season)?
Answer: he doesn’t want to ditch Given (he’s not stupid) and is bent on keeping the Irishman happy somehow, firstly by picking him for City’s Europa League tie at Timisoara on Thursday.
City have at least two top-class players for every position, including at keeper, but of course I understand why Given – who went to City to revitalise his career – must be frustrated, and no less so after sitting in the stands and watching Joe Hart repel all invaders at White Hart Lane on Saturday lunchtime; Hart is the current No.1 at City, and rightly so.
I suspect Mancini will convince Given to stay, which opens the door for Mark Schwarzer at Fulham to get his dream move to the Emirates – if nasty boss Mark Hughes allows it. I don’t think there’s much to choose between the two.
Gooners, who would you rather have in goal?