Almunia calls for repeat performance
Monday, April 6, 2009
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Manuel Almunia did not play the last time Arsenal FC played at Villarreal CF but nevertheless believes the goalless draw, which sealed the Gunners' progress to the 2005/06 final in Paris, can be an "inspiration to us".
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"It's a good memory and we'd like to do it again," said Manuel Almunia when asked about Arsenal FC's last visit to El Madrigal in 2006, a game he watched from the bench. The goalkeeper has come a long way since then but is hoping for a repeat performance when his side face off against Villarreal CF.
Drama
"It can be an inspiration to us that we came here to El Madrigal and imposed ourselves the last time and that sent us into the final," said the 31-year-old, who was understudy to Jens Lehmann that day. He therefore had a ringside seat as the veteran German denied Juan Román Riquelme from the spot in the dying moments to seal Arsenal's place in the final. Lehmann's contribution in Paris was less positive, his early dismissal giving Almunia his chance and though late goals ruined the Gunners' day, the Spaniard had made his mark.
No fear
Almunia has been a regular at the Arsenal Stadium ever since and is keen to make an impression on the side's return to El Madrigal, a stadium the keeper has himself played at, enduring a 2-1 defeat with Albacete Balompié in 2004. "It has been proven time and again that Villarreal is a hard place to play in Europe and we know they have never lost at home in the Champions League," he said. "But we have played really well away from home [this season] apart from one match, against Roma. If we can set ourselves up well in the first leg and get a decent result then we can seal our place in the semi-finals in the second leg. We respect Villarreal without fearing them."
Timely returns
Arsenal will be energised not only by the memory of the 2006 meeting between the sides and their 17-match unbeaten Premier League run but also by the sheer brio and confidence of youth which, according to Almunia, courses through Arsène Wenger's team. "This is a young Arsenal side but we have matured together and are ready to thrive in the closing stages of this season," he said. "Guys like Cesc Fàbregas, Theo Walcott and Alexandre Song are young but talented and returning to full fitness just in time."