Wenger praises Almunia
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Manuel Almunia for the goalkeeper's great start to the season.
Almunia has played a large part in helping Arsenal to second in the table with ten points from four Premier League games. The goalkeeper had been linked with a move away from North London for the majority
of the summer.
The club made no secret of the bid for Fulham's Mark Schwarzer linked with the club. However, Wenger has praised Almunia's professionalism and determination to prove critics wrong.
Almunia is a key part of Arsenal's team and he must continue to play well so the club can maintain momentum. However, it does seem like a matter of time before Arsenal brings in another high profile goalkeeper.
Key part of the side
Almunia is one of the older players in the club at 33-years-old. He has more experience than the majority of Arsenal's young side. He has been key in keeping the defence organised during Arsenal's first
four games.
His agility and handling looks better than it has ever been. This gives the defence confidence knowing that the goalkeeper is not going to make any errors. It takes all of the pressure off the defence
and allows the team to play freely.
Distribution is a key part of Almunia's game. He is able to get the ball out to the full-backs or into the midfield quickly. This means Arsenal goes from defence to attack within one pass.
Wenger said: "Manuel Almunia is in front at the moment because of his quality and the way he accepted what happened
to him. Since the start of the season the way he has responded to the challenge has been absolutely outstanding. That is why I give him my full support.
In every position you know you can be challenged, that is part of the job."
Matter of time
It seems to be a matter of time before Arsenal signs a goalkeeper who will come in as the club's new number one. This is regardless of Almunia's good form so far this season.
Arsenal and Arsene Wenger have made it clear that a new shot-stopper is a priority. Almunia is on borrowed time as the club is still linked with a number of high profile
players. It is the attitude of Almunia that is keeping him in the team.
Arsenal did not manage to sign Schwarzer over the summer because of delays in negotiations. These can continue in the coming months and Arsenal could sign the Fulham player
as soon as the January transfer window opens.
Captain Cesc Fabregas added: "Manuel commanded the defence very well at Blackburn, but it is not just
about one game or two or three. He is a well-loved player among everybody here and performs well for this club. We all wish him a super season and have a lot of trust."
Betting advice
Almunia is playing well and this means Arsenal is conceding fewer goals and not losing matches. While Almunia continues his good form there is no reason not to back Arsenal to win every game the club plays.
Arsenal is still a very good bet to win the Premier League by next spring. The side looks like the best passing team in England. This also makes Arsenal a very good bet to win either the FA Cup or the
League Cup this year.
The side played very well during the first game of the champions League beating Braga 6-0. Arsenal is a huge outsider to win the Champions League but with a solid goalkeeper between the posts, Arsenal
may just pull it off.
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