Stewart Robson says Manuel Almunia must start in goal for Arsenal - even if Jens Lehmann returns to the club.
And with a few tactical improvements, Gunners can win the title
Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson told
Sky Sports News he can see Jens Lehmann re-signing for the Gunners - but says he should not dislodge Manuel Almunia between the posts.
Arsene Wenger is on the look out for a new goalkeeper after Wojciech Szczêsny was ruled out for six weeks with a dislocated finger, joining shoulder-injury victim Lukasz Fabianski on the treatment table.
Fellow stopper Vito Mannone - who has been on loan at Championship outfit Hull City - is also on the sidelines with a thigh ailment, leaving Almunia as the Gunners' only fit senior 'keeper.
Sky Sports News understands Arsenal have begun talks with 41-year-old Lehmann - who ended his playing career last summer - about a return to the Emirates Stadium.
But Robson believes that even if the German does return, Almunia must be given the nod as the Londoners' first-choice custodian.
"I think Almunia is a much better goalkeeper than people give him credit for," said Robson, who played for the Gunners between 1981-86.
"Yes, he's made mistakes before and in big games, and a lot of Arsenal fans and the press have got onto him. But I still believe he is Arsenal's best goalkeeper and a better bet than Jens Lehmann."
"He (Wenger) likes bringing old players back and there's every chance he could do it again. I think Lehmann would be alright as a substitute but I still think Almunia has to play between now and the end of the season."
Missed chances
Arsenal's quest for trophies has stalled in recent weeks; following on from their Carling Cup Final loss to Birmingham and their Champions League exit to Barcelona, Arsene Wenger's men were on the losing end again this weekend, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final.
Barring a Sergio Busquets own goal against Barcelona, the Gunners have not scored in their previous three games, and Robson thinks that for all Arsenal's stylish football, they lack nous in both penalty areas.
"Apart from the game against Barcelona where they didn't get a kick, they've controlled games from penalty box to penalty box," he said.
"But against Manchester United I don't think they put the ball in the box enough and when (Bacary) Sagna put some great crosses in, they missed chances.
"I think for most of the game they were the better team against Manchester United, but you win games in both penalty boxes and they weren't urgent enough defensively and they weren't dynamic enough creatively when they had the ball in the final third."
Outplayed
Despite their recent hiccups, Arsenal are just three points behind Premier League leaders United with a game in hand.
And Robson reckons the title is still fully within the Gunners' grasp - as long as they, and their manager, regroup quickly.
"I always said they'd win two trophies this season, one being the League Cup," added Robson.
"Not having won that has affected Arsenal. They went to Barcelona and got totally outplayed.
"And I know it was the FA Cup, but I thought if they beat United they'd go on and win the Premier League by two or three points. I'm not so sure now.
"But if they address some of the tactical issues, make sure they get people in the box and Wenger picks the right side, they are still in a great position."
