Manuel Almunia Bio Send To Friend  

After initially failing to impress when given his chance of a run in the Arsenal side, Almunia is firmly first choice after the departure of Jens Lehmann.

He started his career with Osasuna B, the Pamplona-born star then moved to Cartagonova for 1999-00, but after failing to break into the first team he was signed by Sabadell in the summer of 2000.

Almunia enjoyed first team football in 2000-01, and earned a move to Celta Vigo - who loaned him out each season. First of all he joined Eibar, where he impressed, before switching to Recreativo Huelva for 2002-03 and then Albacete for 2003-04. At Albacete he enjoyed a fine season as the club avoided relegation.

He began the season as second choice to Carlos Roa, but an injury to the experienced Argentine propelled him into the first team and he played a large role in helping them retain their status in the top flight.

His performances alerted Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who signed him on a long-term contract and Almunia joined the Gunners in July 2004 for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £500,000.

The Spaniard was first promoted to number one in December 2005 after Lehmann had come in for much criticism, but a few high profile errors seemed to signal the end of his first run in goal. Lehmann eventually claimed his place back, but Almunia showed a propensity for penalty heroics when given the chance.

He came on in the 2006 Champions League final against Barcelona after Lehmann had been sent off, but was unable to stop a Barca comeback in Paris. Then he got an extended run in the first team at the start of the 2007-08 season due to Lehmann making two high profile mistakes and never looked back.

With Lehmann's departure in the summer of 2008, Almunia claimed the #1 jersey all to himself and has proven himself to be one of the best stoppers in the top flight - even being linked with a callup to the England squad due to residency.