Wenger: Almunia for Spain

Arsene Wenger believes that it will not be long until the Spanish international side will be knocking on Manuel Almunia's door to call him up for the full international side. The Arsenal keeper has displaced Jens Lehmann in the Arsenal line-up.

“It is a little bit like the Gregory Coupet story in France where he came late to Lyon and then the national team,” said Wenger. “But overall goalkeepers careers can start late. Sometimes it is down to getting the right chance and the right moment.

“I feel as well he was here in an environment with top-class keepers around him in the team like Lehmann who test you and push you. Certainly Gerry Peyton has helped him as goalkeeper coach as well.

“The conjunction of all these qualities has made him a better goalkeeper. But first of all, he has a fantastic attitude and wants always to improve.”