1. Manuel Almunia

If any questions remained over Manuel's capacity to play at the highest level, he answered them emphatically last term.

The Spaniard capitalised on Jens Lehmann's early-season injury to establish himself as Arsenal's No 1 goalkeeper.

A run of eight clean sheets in his first 11 appearances gave Manuel confidence and, as the season unfolded, he looked increasingly at home between the posts.

He quickly won over the fans too, making a splendid stop from Robbie Keane's spot-kick at a crucial point in the North London derby at Emirates Stadium just before Christmas. Nicklas Bendtner scored the winner that day but Manuel's heroics provided the platform for a vital victory.

Manuel is renowned for his shot-stopping ability and top-class kicking but he is now commanding his area with increasing authority too.

As one of the oldest members of the squad, his growing leadership qualities will come in handy this season.

 

MY YEAR

May

Manuel’s ankle injury kept him out of all but one of May’s games. The Spaniard played 90 minutes of Arsenal’s 3-1 Champions League Semi-Final second leg defeat against Manchester United. On May 1 Arsene Wenger described him as the best keeper in the league and also discussed the prospect of Almunia playing for England. “There are international rules that have to be respected but if possible, why not?” said Wenger. Also, Many happy returns to Manuel who turned 32 on the 19th.

April

After 90 minutes against Man City in the month’s first game, Manuel suffered an ankle injury after 27 minutes of Arsenal’s clash with Villarreal three days later. The problem kept the Spaniard out of action until April 26 when he returned with a clean sheet against Middlesbrough. However, Manuel was beaten by John O’Shea in the Champions League Semi-Final first leg against Manchester United on the following Wednesday.

March

As usual, Manuel sat out Arsenal’s FA Cup fixtures in the month but did play four times in a very memorable March. The Spaniard’s undoubted highlights were two crucial penalty saves. First, he stooped to save Mirko Vucinic’s spot-kick in Arsenal’s shoot-out triumph against Roma in the Champions League. Then, 10 days later he saved Obafemi Martins’ penalty in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory at Newcastle.

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