Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Backs Manuel Almunia

By Tony Corbin

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels goalkeeper Manuel Almunia needs “a few games” but is confident the Spaniard is back to his best.

A chest infection and family bereavement have kept Almunia out of the Arsenal team for 10 matches, but Wenger has been impressed with his form in victories over Tottenham Hotspur and AZ Alkmaar, despite some blaming him for the latter’s consolation goal.

"He looks back to his best,” Wenger said, according to The Guardian. “He needs a few games to get used to playing again, but I'm not worried about him."

"It gave him a good breather as well.

“I feel he had been a bit affected by the mistakes he made against Portsmouth but, overall, no, I would not have dropped him if he had not been sick."

During the 32-year-old’s absence, the Gunners’ goalkeeper shirt has been worn by Lukasz Fabianski (24) and Vito Mannone (21) but Wenger believes Almunia’s big game experience is vital.

"Confidence is very important," he added.

"That's why basically it [goalkeeper] is a position where most of the time for the big clubs, after 25 or 26, you get mature enough to play. You are not ready at 22 to take that pressure."