'I wouldn't say Almunia isn't first choice'

By Richard Clarke

Arsène Wenger is refusing to say that Manuel Almunia is no longer Arsenal’s No 1 keeper.

The Spanish stopper missed a month through a chest infection, but returned to the squad for the trip to Alkmaar on Tuesday. Wenger kept faith with Vito Mannone for the Champions League match in Holland, with Almunia on the bench.

The decision raised questions at Friday’s press conference ahead of the game at West Ham on Sunday.

“I wouldn't say Manuel is no longer our automatic first choice,” he said. “But Vito has come in and done well.

“It is always difficult with these kinds of decisions. You could say our job is to be unfair sometimes to players. You don't want to be but some time you have to, no matter what decisions you make sometimes you are unfair to one or two players.”

[Friday, October 23, 2009]

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