Almunia back for new test

14 April 2012

It hasn't been the best of times for Arsenal's Spanish contingent recently. First Manuel Almunia gets dropped as first-choice goalkeeper, then Jose Reyes gets duped into admitting that he might be tempted away from Highbury.

So it's no surprise that one of their number is doing his best to present a united front in the face of considerable adversity.

Almunia says he perfectly understands how his countryman got caught out by a radio hoaxer.

"If I put myself in his shoes and someone of importance rang from Real Madrid I wouldn't hang the phone up," he said. "I'd try to be pleasant, especially as it's someone from your own country.

"I have a lot of sympathy for Jose. I have a wonderful wife but that doesn't mean I never look at another woman. I have a nice car but that doesn't mean I never look at another one. It doesn't mean anything."

In the same way he presumably understands why Arsene Wenger has been casting an eye over another goalkeeper recently.

In 14 first-team games Almunia has experienced the full range of emotions from triumph to despair. Called up to replace Jens Lehmann in December, he played in seven unbeaten Premiership games before mistakes against Bolton and Manchester United prompted Wenger to reinstate his German goalkeeper.

The United game encapsulated the inconsistency of Almunia's season. A commanding figure in the first half, making one outstanding close range save from Wayne Rooney, he was quite literally all over the place in the second half and graphically at fault for Christiano Ronaldo's goal.

The criticism since then has been long and loud.

"It's been a very hard few days for me," he said. "But I have to respect the decision of the boss. I am grateful to him for giving me a chance in the first place.

"A lot has happened in a short space of time. I've played 11 Premier League matches and to be honest I didn't expect that. No one can take that away from me."

As Wenger's policy is to play his second choice goalkeeper in domestic cup matches, Almunia returns to the first team tomorrow for the FA Cup fifth round clash with Sheffield United at Highbury.

"I'm going to take it a bit more calmly and try to enjoy it," said Almunia. "Arsenal is the biggest club I've played for and at the moment there is an emphasis on the goalkeeping position.

"All keepers make mistakes, but at the moment it all seems to focus on me. Yes, there is a little more pressure than I'm used to but I try to ignore it."

Almunia's new wife, Ana, helps him focus on the positives. "She has to put up with me when I get home," he smiles. "I feel very lucky to have her. She's always chirpy and puts a positive spin on everything. She helps me cope and if it wasn't for her I think I might have had some really low points."

The Almunias live near Arsenal's London Colney training ground and spend their time working on their house and learning English.

Almunia is 28 in May and knows he may not get the time to establish himself at Highbury. "It's very competitive and I can only do my best and hope that's good enough," he said.

"This is the first time I've played for such an incredible team. It's been a humbling experience. Each position is filled by an international player of top quality, but they've all made me feel at home. They have been very supportive."

Against Shef field United, Wenger is likely to rest Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira ahead of next week's Champions League game against Bayern Munich.

Also absent will be Brazilian Edu and Sol Campbell, but Dennis Bergkamp will keep his place after Wenger confirmed that the Dutchman will not be travelling to Munich.

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