Almunia made a mistake - Wenger

felirox SG

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to bounce back from his indifferent display against Manchester United on Saturday.

The North London side remain top and unbeaten following the home draw against Sir Alex Fergusons side.

Wengers XI twice came from behind to secure a point at Emirates Stadium but keeper Almunia was in the spotlight following Cristiano Ronaldos goal.

Skipper William Gallas saved The Gunners and Wenger is backing the Spaniard, who replaced Jens Lehmann earlier in the season, to bounce back.

"He rushed out to block the cross and he was unhappy with his decision making, Wenger said.

Would he have caught the ball? Could he have stayed inside? He left his goal and didn't get the ball so he'll feel as if he made a mistake. I'll have to watch it again."

The Alsatian manager has explained his decision to put Almunia ahead of Lehmann in the first team.

"Lehmann was injured and Almunia has done extremely well since, 10 games on the trot. I didn't want to disturb the side, he added.

"Until now, he has done very well. I believe in sticking with one goalkeeper. You cannot tell him: 'No matter how many mistakes you make, you'll always be my goalkeeper.'

But you have to give him at least two games."

corebooster SG

so. next game u perform. u get to stay.

i always feel almunia is better den lehmann. at least he wun try to dribble pass a striker or pass a ball to a striker.

798 SG

i dun think he is totally at fault. most of the errors in the match was due to Gallas for not commanding the centre defend properly.

Gallas scored an own goal n not stay in defence when he should be causing the second goal.

glacer SG

Gallas's own goal was not a mistake, i think that it's his timing. He was trying to block the shot but he was just too late.

kramnave SG

Almunia has a very strong penchant of deserting his post and had to be saved a few times by his defence.

BrUtUs SG

he still not convincing enuff… like wat was said liao he is heng the defence is there to bail him out..

corebooster SG

Arsenal do have a goalkeeping problem. but alumnia is still a better choice then lehmann at the very moment.

mayb Wenger has a black horse fabianski. Very Happy

turbo_drift SG

*Wenger - I believe in sticking with one keeper*

Arsène Wenger will stick with Manuel Almunia in goal despite criticism of the keeper after the 2-2 draw against Manchester United.

With seven minutes left at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, the Spaniard raced out in the hope of blocking Patrice Evras run to the near post. He failed to make it and the French full back set up a simple second for Cristiano Ronaldo.

An injury-time goal from William Gallas saved a point and Arsenals blushes. After the game, Wenger refused to cricitise his player but did suggest Almunia himself had not been pleased with the goal.

He rushed out to block the cross and I feel he was unhappy with his decision-making, said Wenger straight after the game. But, would he have caught the ball? Could he have stayed inside? He left his goal and didn't get his ball so he'll feel as if he made a mistake. I'll have to watch it again.

But Wenger still has faith in the 30-year-old.

I believe in sticking with one goalkeeper, he said. You cannot tell him: 'No matter how many mistakes you make, you'll always be my goalkeeper.' But you have to give him at least two games.

Lehmann was injured and Almunia has done extremely well since then for 10 games on the trot. I didn't want to disturb the side and until now, he has done very well.

When asked if Lehmann would return for the midweek trip to Slavia Prague, the manager replied: Not at the moment, no.