With Maarten Stekelenburg fit again should he return to the Saints goal or has Paulo Gazzaniga done enough to retain his place fo the game against Arsenal.

On the day it was revealed that Fraser Forster has made a return to full training it was also announced that Maarten Stekelenburg is fit again after missing the last two games with a toe injury.

Ronald Koeman said.

“He’s ok,” confirmed Saints boss Ronald Koeman.

“He did training sessions today and yesterday, and if that continues for the rest of the week then he’s available.”

He may be available but should he return ? there are those that feel that Paulo Gazzaniga has played well in the last two games and that Stekelenburg had not done enough in the games he had played to warrant a place in the side.

Those that held that view did concede that the Club had no better option than Stekelenburg, at least until Gazzaniga's performances against Palace and Spurs.

So what does everyone think ? should Koeman opt for the Dutch keeper who will provide a steady presence in the Saints goal, but who some think has not stopped enough shots, or should they stick with Gazzaniga and allow him to continue finding his confidence in the hope that he can blossom into a competent back up to Forster when he returns and indeed into the next season.

Vote now in our on line poll which you can find on this page on the right hand side ad give your views in the comments section below.

Photo: Action Images

davepid added 22:37 - Dec 22 Choose which ever one can shoot and score goals.
2

SaintNick added 22:54 - Dec 22 a clean sheet is more important at the moment
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BoondockSaint added 03:27 - Dec 23 So we should play for a draw, Nick?
0

bigrob68 added 08:54 - Dec 23 Gazza
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SaintNick added 09:01 - Dec 23 Boondock, a draw against Arsenal would be a result, last season our good form was based on the fact that we conceded so few goals, so from that basis if like last season we concentrate on keeping it tight at the back, then we can start scoring at the other end. All of the past five league results have seen us at times dominate the game, but being behind we are chasing the game and the other team has shut up shop making it difficult to score against them. If you arent conceding goals then you are more likely to win games

1

IWOZTHERE added 09:05 - Dec 23 Both of them?..........................Actually Gazza's 'in possession' and has done well enough so deserves his place. Give his confidence a boost for the future.
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TeamCortese added 10:00 - Dec 23 Gazzaniga all day. Gazzaniga is much younger and with the right mentality and hard work could become a very, very good goalkeeper. Stekelenburg feels more like a stop-gap option for Forster and hasn't really impressed since he got here.
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SanMarco added 10:45 - Dec 23 I would probably stick with Gazzaniga - interesting that our 2-0 win in January came from two errors from the Arsenal keeper...
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halftimeorange added 11:27 - Dec 23 I'd favour Gazzaniga. Stekelenburg is good at kicking with both feet and adept at taking the ball at corners but that seems to be where it ends. He appears that he hardly ever makes a save from a decent on-target shot. Although Gazzaniga's kicking was somewhat wayward against Spurs and he had a Kelvin-type moment in the second half he did look as though his confidence has improved and he certainly doesn't lack agility. Just needs to learn to shout at his defence a la Tim Flowers!

1

BoondockSaint added 13:23 - Dec 23 Nick, I fully understand that a draw with Arsenal would be acceptable because they are a "big" team in very good form. However, our good form last season was also based on our goal differential. Right now, we have a bunch of players that can't put the ball in the ocean, or whatever cliché you want to use. You state very clearly: "at times dominate the game, but being behind we are chasing the game and the other team has shut up shop making it difficult to score against them" That's the problem-dominate but don't score, fall behind by one goal, then give up. It's very frustrating to look at the Prem schedule and thnk "That "small" team is going to give "big" team a hard time." and then look at the Saints game and say "I hope we don't give up to many goals!" Koeman and the players need to change their attitude and get some fighting spirit, or it is going to be a long way to 40 point safety.

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kingolaf added 14:12 - Dec 23 Stek for me, all day long. Gazza was very poor for both the Spurs goals, and has a very annoying habit of getting his hands but not his body behind the ball. He isn't good enough. Stek isn't great, but is the safer option.
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Whatsforpud added 17:14 - Dec 23 Before each home match, I like to stand directly behind the Chapel goal to watch the goalkeeper practice. They both look world beaters then. Unfortunately you can't replicate real match situations in practice. The hardest part is decision-making - go out or stay back? As there is not much between them, perhaps Gazza to continue.
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SaintBrock added 16:25 - Dec 24 Of course Matin Stekelenburg, you need big men for big games with a bit of nous.
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