Manuel's mission
Last updated: 7th November 2007
Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper: Manuel Almunia
I'm not worried about playing for Spain at the moment. I will be worried in four or five months, but at the moment my only worry is Arsenal. I don't care about other things.Manuel Almunia
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Manuel Almunia insists he is not concerned about breaking into Spain's national team and wants to focus on cementing his place at Arsenal.
Almunia broke into the Gunners first team at the expense of Jens Lehmann at the start of the season and has established himself as Arsene Wenger's number one this campaign.
But with the likes of Iker Casillas, Jose Reina, Andres Palop and Victor Valdes ahead of him in the race to secure a spot in Luis Aragones' Euro 2008 squad, Alumnia does not want to think about stepping up to international football just yet.
He told Revista De La Liga: "It has been a great season for me because I am playing so many games and I am enjoying it so much.
"I think I deserve to enjoy this moment because I have been waiting three years for this chance, I cannot lose.
"Victor Valdes deserves at least one chance to play for the national team, but I'm not worried about that at the moment.
"I will be worried in four or five months, but at the moment my only worry is Arsenal. I don't care about other things."
Almunia also backed Real Madrid as the strongest team in La Liga at the current time and expects the champions to retain their title this season.
"I think Real Madrid are stronger than last season. I think it's going to be very difficult to beat them," he added.
"Barcelona are finding it more difficult because their philosophy is to play well first and then to win. They are not playing well at the moment and are having to work too hard to beat the other teams. Real Madrid are the strongest.
"Teams like Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are going to be near the top at the end, but they need to be more consistent in the league, like Real Madrid."
Don't forget that you can read Guillem Balague's expert opinions on La Liga here on skysports.com and he will answer your questions. Send him an email here!
Comments
Carmelo Pace says...
I hope Manuel keeps this standard up - he is doing a great job. I for one will be glad to see the back of Lehmann when Mr Wenger decides to discard him - I never liked big heads.
Posted 20:03 8th November 2007
Muna Wahome says...
I am surprised someone thinks Arsenal fans want Lehman back. Let statistics talk for Almunia. I have seen several shots blocked by him that Lehman would have let in.
Posted 11:32 7th November 2007
Kia Balali, phd says...
Hmmmmm. The majority of Arsenal fans want Lehmann back into the team, as for Almunia getting into Luis Aragones' Euro2008 squad, there's more chance of me winning the nobel prize in Physics and i'm not even a physicist. Almunia is a decent keeper and should be able to get a regular game with premiership teams outwith the big 4.
Posted 10:01 7th November 2007
Michael Goodrington says...
As strong as Arsenal are this season, Almunia remains no more than an average keeper. I think any striker bearing down on goal would much prefer the sight of Almunia than Lehmann when they look up at goal, and the lad has a long way to go before cementing a name as a world class keeper, like Canizares, and arguably Cassilas already have done.
Posted 09:54 7th November 2007
Jason Sebastian says...
Dear Manu, It is a shame that Aragones does not select you for the national team. You are clearly better than Canizares and more efficient than Casillas. I am biased because I support Arsenal, but please keep up the excellent form and continue to help The Arsenal win a trophy this season. Vamos!
Posted 17:34 6th November 2007
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