Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / ARSENAL
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

Tuesday, 25 December 2007, 19:26 GMT

Almunia open to England call-up

Manuel Almunia in action in training Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has not ruled out the possibility of representing England in the future.

The 30-year-old has yet to be capped by Spain and will qualify to play for England in a year's time having spent four years with the north London club.

"They (Spain) have never, never called me," said Almunia.

"If other people want me, I have to study my situation and take a decision because it is good for me - I will not close myself to anything."

Almunia has been in impressive form having kept 11 clean sheets in 22 games this season, relegating Germany international Jens Lehmann to the substitutes' bench.

"In England the people are more passionate and the people here are more humble"
Manuel Almunia

But his performances have yet to convince Spain manager Luis Aragones, who has a plethora of world-class goalkeepers at his disposal, including Real Madrid's Iker Casillas, Valencia's Santiago Canizares and Liverpool's Pepe Reina.

Almunia's admission could give new England manager Fabio Capello a further option to explore as he looks for a long-term solution to the goalkeeping dilemma.

"I always say I have to wait to see what is happening at that moment, or which goalkeeper England has, or which goalkeeper Spain has, look at the situation and take a decision," said the Pamplona-born keeper.

"It would be a big decision but I wouldn't care if I had two days to take it."

Almunia said he has been overwhelmed by the support of the Arsenal fans ever since he joined the club from Celta Vigo in 2004.

606: DEBATE
"Face it - he is a better goalkeeper than any English keeper currently playing"
sintillatingk9

"If you give them a little thing I think they love you, and that's fantastic. That doesn't happen in Spain, no," he said.

"That's because in England the people are more passionate and the people here are more humble.

"If they receive something, even a little thing, they give you double. For a player that's unbelievable."




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham (22 Dec 07 |  Premier League )
Wenger to keep faith with Almunia (05 Nov 07 |  Arsenal )
Lehmann issues threat to Wenger (23 Oct 07 |  Arsenal )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Arsenal fans' views on 606
BBC London audio
Arsenal weather
BBC Sport Premier League
Arsenal
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Formula 1 | Olympics | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorsport | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©