Manuel Almunia profile
Name
Manuel Almunia
Born
May 19, 1977
Pamplona, Spain
Position
Goalkeeper
Squad Number
1
Previous Club(s)
Osasuna B
Cartagonova
Sabadell
Celta Vigo
Eibar (loan)
Recreativo Huelva (loan)
Albacete (loan)
Joined Arsenal
July 18, 2004
Arsenal Debut
Manchester City (a)
Carling Cup
October 27, 2004
Won 2-1
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
October
Manuel’s journey from goalkeeping understudy to Arsenal’s No 1 was completed in October as he was selected to captain the side on their trip to Fenerbahce. The Spaniard said: “I am very proud to wear the armband, it is an honour. It is true I have a bit more responsibility but no pressure. But the only pressure on me is the same one I get every Saturday.”
October
Manuel’s journey from goalkeeping understudy to Arsenal’s No 1 was completed in October as he was selected to captain the side on their trip to Fenerbahce. The Spaniard said: “I am very proud to wear the armband, it is an honour. It is true I have a bit more responsibility but no pressure. But the only pressure on me is the same one I get every Saturday.”
September
Manuel had a very busy August. The Spaniard was in exceptional form throughout, playing every minute of all four games, conceding just one goal in the process. The keeper kept out Twente both home and away in addition to clean sheets against West Brom and Newcastle. Almunia’s first season as the side’s most senior stopper couldn’t really have started any better.
1. Manuel Almunia - Full Arsenal Record
| Prem Lge | Europe | FA Cup | Lge Cup | C. Shield | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl |
| 2004-2005 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2005-2006 | 0 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12+1 | 0 |
| 2006-2007 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| 2007-2008 | 29 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| 2008-2009 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Totals | 53 | 0 | 22+1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98+1 | 0 |
Key:
- Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
- C. Shield = Community Shield
- Europe = UEFA Champions League
- Ap = Appearances
- FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
- Gl = Goals Scored
- Lge Cup = Carling Cup
Manuel Almunia - News
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Mon, Nov 17, 2008
TV Online: Almunia on the Aston Villa defeat -
Sun, Nov 16, 2008
Almunia - We have to make some changes now -
Thu, Nov 13, 2008
Almunia and Adebayor face late fitness tests -
Mon, Nov 10, 2008
Almunia back in training later this week -
Wed, Oct 29, 2008
Almunia - That save against Spurs last season -
Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Almunia - It seemed like a training match -
Tue, Oct 21, 2008
Almunia - No extra pressure on me as captain -
Fri, Oct 17, 2008
Almunia - The truth about me and England -
Mon, Oct 6, 2008
Almunia - ‘Mean streak’ transformed Walcott -
Wed, Oct 1, 2008
Almunia - Porto win showed our true colours
