Following the news that Jens Lehmann has left Arsenal and signed a one-year contract at German outfit Stuttgart, the question being asked by most Gooners is whether or not Arsenal need a new number one. After a number of high profile blunders at the start of the season, Jens found himself on the bench and between the sticks Manuel Almunia entered to stake his claim for the jersey.

Almunia, who joined Arsenal from Spanish side Celta Vigo in 2004, managed to keep Lehmann out of the side for prolonged periods of the season leaving the big German keeper far from happy at Emirates Stadium. But as the season drew to an abrupt end for the Gunners, injuries to Almunia gave Lehmann a second chance to reclaim the number one spot. After a couple of good performances, it appeared that he may be close to sealing a one year extension to his fast-expiring contract.

With the relationship between Arsenal’s top two goal keepers in tatters following their bitter rivalry it was time for another contender to step into the ring and he goes by the name of Lukasz Fabianski. A summer signing from Poland’s Legia Warsaw, he has been sounded out by Wenger as a future Arsenal number one and it was a shock for some to see the young Pole given the chance to stake his claim for the jersey when featuring in the Gunners’ last three games of the season against Derby, Everton and Sunderland.

So now it appears that with just two senior keepers left Wenger appears to be ready to take the gamble by picking one of them to man the sticks next season. For me I must say that I felt Manuel Almunia deserved his chance in the side last season and was rarely at fault for many of the goals Arsenal’s defence leaked. However is he in the same league as world class keepers such as Petr Cech or Iker Casillas? That is where I am afraid he falls just short. Like many keepers, he is a very good shot-stopper and fairly agile but sometimes his decision making can be questionable and that is something Arsenal cannot afford.

There is no doubt that he has certainly improved from the days when he was drafted in as a back-up for when Lehmann was injured and it is obvious that his rivalry with Jens has spurred him on, but I do still think that he could be destined to be a number two. As for Fabianski he appears to have a very bright future ahead of him. After Arsenal’s embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Spurs, he appears to have shown good mental strength in being able to bounce back and that can only do the lad good. At times his judgement when coming for corners and crosses may be a bit suspect but he has shown bravery and a good shot stopping ability in the matches in which he featured in. And at the age of 23, time is definitely on his side.

Whether he is ready to step in at the moment is a very different question though. A good example can be seen in Ben Foster at Manchester United. Foster, who spent all of the 2006/07 campaign on loan at Watford, showed magnificent form at times and is strongly being touted as the next number one at Old Trafford. But with Van Der Sar having another good season, Foster may be forced to go out on loan again to find first team football.

As for next season unless Arsene Wenger pulls a keeper out of the bag I can see it being Almunia who retains the number one jersey. As for Fabianski I feel he will be Arsenal’s Carling & FA Cup keeper whilst warming a space on the bench. But if the boss does bring in a replacement for Lehmann then it must be a commanding keeper who is not only technically good but also a leader and I believe that there is one man who could fill those gloves.

Enter Gianluigi Buffon. Arsenal have, in the past few seasons, been heavily linked with the World Cup winning Italian and he would certainly be an acquisition worth what would surely be a very large transfer fee. At the age of 30 he is by no means on his way out and would bring bags of experience and that winning mentality Arsenal so desperately need. With an assured goalkeeper behind them, I am also confident that this would help improve the defence by knowing they have a man behind them who has won numerous prestigious awards for his performances.

As for the likely hood of Buffon signing a deal, it does appear unlikely. However we are all aware of just how quickly things can change in football. Wenger is certainly an admirer of the Italian superstar, so the possibility remains.