'Safe Hands' strikes back

By Luke Williams

It was with a true sense of occasion that Arsenal FC and England goalkeeper David Seaman marked his 1,000th appearance in senior English football on Sunday.

Exclusive club
In doing so Seaman joined an exclusive club which includes just two other men - former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and veteran defender Tony Ford. And if a 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory against Sheffield United FC was not enough cause for celebration, then Seaman made doubly sure his milestone was marked in style by producing a save which was instantly hailed as one of the greatest ever.

Peschisolido header
As the game entered its final throes Arsenal were clinging on to their lead. United's Paul Peschisolido connected from close range with a header that looked bound for the back of the net - indeed the Canadian even raised his left arm in celebration - before Seaman launched himself backwards and clawed the ball away with his right hand.

'Not bad for 39'
"To be truthful I thought it was in," said the 39-year-old goalkeeper. "I just flung my hand out and managed to get something on and behind it to stop it travelling any further over the line. I was pleased with that one. Not bad for 39 is it?" Former Denmark international goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel led the tributes to Seaman. "I think it's the best save I've ever seen," said the Manchester City FC custodian.

Schmeichel tribute
Although Seaman is yet to decide whether he will continue his playing career beyond the end of this season, Sunday's save, and the attendant publicity surrounding it, have gone a long way to banishing those critics who had written him off following Ronaldinho's winning goal for Brazil in last year's FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

'True professionalism'
"People do not realise how hard David works in training and he has got his rewards today," said Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. "He's fitter than when I arrived [at Arsenal]. He works much harder, has lost some weight and, to me, he puts more effort into training. He's an example of true professionalism."

Uncertain future
However, Wenger also admitted that Seaman’s future is uncertain. "I still haven't made my mind up about whether he will stay with us as a first-team goalkeeper next season, but he will be the goalkeeper coach at the club."

Glittering career
Whether he retires at the end of the season or not, Seaman has enjoyed a glittering career that marks him out as arguably one of the three greatest English goalkeepers of all time, alongside Gordon Banks and the aforementioned Shilton. Born in Rotherham in 1963, he began his career with Leeds United AFC but failed to make an impact and moves followed to Peterborough FC in 1982, Birmingham City FC in 1984 and Queen's Park Rangers FC in 1986.

England debut
Seaman's outstanding form with the west London club soon led to an international call-up and he made his debut for England in 1988 against Saudi Arabia. Seaman joined Arsenal in 1990, all the while continuing his progress towards taking permanent possession of England's No1 jersey.

Numerous honours
His time at Highbury has been trophy-laden with three league titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup among his honours. However, Seaman also succeeded in transcending his status as a Highbury hero to become a truly national figure, largely thanks to dynamic performances at EURO 96™, which helped earn him the sobriquet of 'Safe Hands'. If this season does prove to be Seaman's swansong, then Sunday's save has certainly provided a fitting moment for which he will be long remembered.