Kirkland making the most of his chance

After being deposed by loan signee Damien Martinez, it looks like Chris Kirkland is 'back in the frame'. The ex-Wigan goalkeeper who was in the running for full England involvement in his era, along with Paul Robinson and Scott Carson, but struggled with consistency and the ability to stay fit due to long term back problems, looks like he is reasserting himself with his new club after making the switch from the Premier league not so long ago. And having earnt his chance to build up regular game time with back to back games starting as first choice goalkeeper, the loan deal for Arsenal's highly touted goalkeeping prospect seems like another strange one.

Although Martinez has been in sparkling form, and with Wednesday not having the overall talent or team spirit and strength to be looking to do real damage to the league table, it still leaves goalie analysts scratching heads. Because of the deal being short term and the back four having to get used to changing goalkeepers (and the problems it causes in knowing where the goalkeeper is, communication, confidence etc. game in game out), and Kirkland regaining his confidence and form, it seems a bit puzzling. Kirkland is their goalkeeper for the longer term, and Martinez is more likely to end up back with Arsenal after the summer, due to Fabianski wanting out, so for him the move is useful for getting game experience, but for the club, it has not been a massive impact, and with the return of Kirkland, seems to have been a gamble that has paid off, but not the extent fans and team mates might have expected or wanted.

Martinez keeping Kirkland out of action

With their first choice Szczesny building off previous seasons' successes to start to offer Arsenal a strong contender between the posts, it's easy to forget Arsenal's other young goalkeeping talent. Argentinian Damien Martinez is on loan at the moment and raising eyebrows and commendations with his current string of strong performances. Chris Kirkland made his move to the Owls after trying to rebuild his career after long term back injuries which kept him out of contention for the England squad (back in the day when Robinson and Carson were battling over the number 1 jersey) but is now being pushed out of starts, demoted by his coach to the bench. Coaching staff are going with the "hot hand" as they say in ice hockey, making the most of a goalkeeper playing confidently on a hot streak, making the most of the chance to get the most points available from games as a result. But this leaves Kirkland in the lurch after earning the same coaches' confidence in him.

For Martinez it is a chance to show what he's capable and prove his worth, building himself up to challenge the Polish international above him for the Arsenal first team place, with Fabianski on the move (predicted destination: Germany) at the end of the season potentially to aid his own international and club ambitions. Being a first choice at a Championship side is no mean feat given the responsibility required for the goalkeeper not to make mistakes, come up trumps each game and be able to bounce back from poor games (needing the mental stamina to do so). And the Argentinian is making waves right now. Short term loans are good in the short term, but where does this leave either goalkeeper in the long term?!

http://www.shoot.co.uk/chris-could-leave/