Manuel Almunia Biography

Name :
Manuel Almunia

Born :
May 19, 1977

Birth place :
Pamplona, Spain

Height :
6' 4'' (1.93m)

Weight :
86 kg

Position :
Goalkeeper

Squad Number :
1

Previous Club(s) :
Albacete (loan)
Recreativo Huelva (loan)
Eibar (loan)
Celta Vigo
Sabadell
Cartagonova
Osasuna B

Joined Arsenal :
July 18, 2004

2004/05
In his first season at the Club after joining in July 2004 Manuel played as understudy to Jens Lehmann - making 16 appearances for the first team, 10 in the league.

He was however, Arsenal's hero after they beat Sheffield United 4-2 on penalties in an FA Cup Fifth Round replay at Bramall Lane in March when he saved two spot-kicks.

Arsène Wenger spoke highly about Manuel and his prospects. “I feel Manuel will compete strongly. He has made a big impact and has impressed everybody."

2005/06
Manuel again played understudy to his German team-mate this season, and Lehmann’s form and fitness meant he didn’t make a single Premier League appearance. He did however make 12 starts in cup competitions.

The man from Pamplona was quickly earning himself the tag of 'penalty-shootout specialist' after his second match-winning performance in as many seasons. He was Arsenal's hero again in the Carling Cup Quarter-Final when he saved twice in the shoot-out to book his team's place in the last four.

He announced himself to the world when he came on as a substitute in the final of the Champions League in Paris after Lehmann had been sent off, though he was unable to prevent Barcelona lifting the trophy.

2006/07
The substitutes bench was again the regular place to find Manuel in the 2006/07 season. He made just 14 appearances with all but one of those in cup competitions.

Arsène Wenger said of the goalkeeper, "He is knocking at the door and is stronger than ever, I always felt the potential was in him but he has become calmer recently.”

2007/08
This potential was realised and Manuel got his chance as the Clubs first choice in the following season. He made a total of 38 appearances in all competitions and finally established himself as number one.

His long list of vital penalty stops was added to when he saved one from Tottenham’s Robbie Keane, a stop which really endeared him to the fans.

Manuel signed a new long-term contract with the Club and stated his desire to stay at Arsenal for years to come. “I am very happy, I have extended my contract and I hope to be here for a long, long time.”

2008/09
The number-one jersey was again Manuel’s in the 2008/09 season, as he proved himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Premier League.

After the summer departure of Jens Lehmann, the Spaniard has firmly established himself as Arsenal’s number one this season with outstanding performances in both domestic and European competitions.

He made 44 appearances overall throughout the season. Manuel performed more penalty heroics in a Champions League tie at Roma as he helped Arsenal progress to the semi-final of the Champions League.

In the first-leg of the Semi Final the Spaniard single-handedly kept his team in business at Old Trafford after a storming start to the first leg by Manchester United. He clawed away Wayne Rooney's looping header and made a stunning reflex stop to deny Carlos Tevez shortly afterwards as he again proved his value to the Club.

“In my opinion he is the best,” said Arsène Wenger. “He is at the period of his career where he has good decision making at the physical level to achieve what he sees and what he decides.”

2009/10
No one had a more traumatic start to the 2009/10 season than Manuel Almunia but the Spanish goalkeeper bounced back to end the campaign as Arsenal's undisputed No 1.

A chest infection and off-field issues laid Manuel low in September and he missed nine games as Vito Mannone and, briefly, Lukasz Fabianski staked their claims. But neither did enough to dislodge Manuel permanently and he was back between the posts for the North London derby on October 31.

Vital penalty saves against Hull and West Ham proved his worth and, although he was blamed for goals against Manchester United and Birmingham in the New Year, Manuel chose the biggest match of the season to produce his best performance - Barcelona at the Emirates. The 33-year-old thwarted the Catalan giants time and again to keep the Quarter-Final tie alive.