Adrian has spoken for the first time about spending months without hope under Slaven Bilic.
Since being recalled during Joe Hart’s enforced absence at Manchester City the Spaniard has been in outstanding form and is determined to hold onto the sweater.
But he admits he was in a very bad place after being told that he was a permanent No 2 under the former manager.
He is reported as saying: “With Bilic I saw everything very dark. He told me that Joe was going to be his number one and in the first three months, without playing in the league, I had a very bad time, I became frustrated.”
As we reported last night (Thurs) the club are hoping that they can convince the 30 year old to sign a new deal and will be encouraged that he is pleased with his treatment under new manager David Moyes.
He said: “The coach showed a lot of personality by giving me ownership.”
Adrian explained: “I knew it was my opportunity ( at Manchester City). I prepared physically and mentally for weeks for that game. I wanted to vindicate myself, to demonstrate that I am still at a great level.”
I wonder whether Adrian would have done any better than Hart in the shambolic defence we had in that first 3 months. Would Hart look a different keeper with an organised defence in front of him. No strong opinion on this myself, but Hart’s career – certainly with England- could have been ruined just by being ‘in the wrong place at the wrong time’.
Sullivan brought in Hart, wasting huge wages, filling a position that didn’t need filling and unsettling the squad. Now Bilic is portrayed as the bad guy for not looking after Adrian. I know which one I blame for the whole sorry mess.
Both Adrian and Randolph were a liability last station. We needed an new keeper. That was obvious.
Randolph needed replacing. Hart was not the answer.
The England no1 keeper on loan? Be serious mate.
Massive wages that could have been used elsewhere, was only on loan, and his loan could have seen Adrian leave as well as him at the end of the season.
Bottom line, it doesn’t look like it is working out well.
I agree that it doesn’t look like working out, but who knew that at in July?? We needed a new keeper having conceded on average 2 goals a game for a year. He was on loan and available. Its a simple as that. There was plenty of money to buy players, which we did so his wages are irrelevant.
Adrian was a liability early last season and agree with you about Randy but when Adrian came back from a long time on the sidelines he had addressed the flapping at crosses which was his biggest fault and he was coming out more often and catching the crosses and again this season he looks solid, I agree we needed a keeper and Hart and Adrian are good competition for each other, I want to see Adrian keep improving as he is, Hart’s contract expires at City at the end of this season so it is questionable whether he will want to join us on reduced wages next season.
+1 and from ur first comments I honestly think Adrian would have done better bc he knows the CBs better & they seem more comfortable with him. Also think there was a few shots he could of saved.
Adrian had a horrific defense at beginning of last season so he knows how to deal with it under organised like Sam & less so under Bilic bc even in last season at Upton we were shipping goals especially 2nd half of season.
I think Adrian is a good GK for us & every time he gets benched under Sam twice w Bilic he comes back better. His work ethxi character drive & I think Adrian is & will get better then he has been.. Some w age & perspective some w coaching and right organisation.
Nothing against Hart but never understood the move it was for his name etc but stats wise wasn’t better & had been in decline.And he never was all about being a hammer from his interviews was about fixing his career & England. I’m waiting to see how long Hart will be happy on Bench & he will want a herioc Arsenal cup game but I just think Hart will leave in Summer anyway why flip flop back in forth when Adrian is working even if Harts has a good game
Have to do right by Adrian he is a solid GK not the beat in the world but be plenty of PL clubs who would have him
Must keep Adrian we have young Joseph Asong still waiting on Permit he could end up being a food understudy
I’ll hold my hands up and say I was wrong about Adrian, he’s done very well in the last couple of games – I’ve had a couple of arguments over this in the last couple of weeks and fair enough I got it wrong.
…… Joe Hart is still real class though!