Patience finally paying off for in-form
Almunia
They say patience is a virtue and Manuel Almunia would surely
agree. The Spanish goalkeeper has been understudy to Jens Lehmann
since he joined Arsenal three years ago but an injury to the
Germany No 1 has given the Spaniard his chance. He has taken it
with aplomb.
Almunia played in six successive first-team games before sitting
out the Carling Cup victory over Newcastle on Tuesday, and could
feature for Saturday's trip to Upton Park as Arsenal look to build
on their impressive start to the Premier League season.
The 30-year-old has conceded just two goals since being drafted
into the starting line-up. He puts that down to two things - the
quality of the players in front of him and his own improvement as a
goalkeeper.
"It has been a really good season for us so far and personally for
me," Almunia told Arsenal.com. "I am enjoying so much my position
in the team and I am trying to help the team as best I can. At the
moment things are going well and I keep my fingers crossed that it
stays the same.
"I am a better keeper now. If you are a hard worker and don't get
down then you always improve. If it's not this year then it's next
year but in the end you will play if you keep going and going. If
you try to improve every day you get the results and that's what is
happening with me.
"I am a bit surprised by how well we are doing. It's obvious,
everybody is surprised with us. This team is so young but at the
same time we have a lot of talent. When I am on the pitch I feel as
if every player is giving 100 per cent and all our talent is coming
out. That didn't always happen last year."
So can Arsenal maintain their fine start and collect some
silverware this season? Almunia would not be drawn. Three points
from Saturday's London derby is all he is concerned about.
"We want to achieve three points against West Ham," he said. "That
is my only worry and it is the only worry of the boss and the rest
of the team."
