Almunia: Mine for keeps

Manuel Almunia today brushed aside criticism of his performance in Arsenal's 5-1 Champions League triumph over Rosenborg at Highbury last night to declare himself ready for Sunday's Premiership showdown against Chelsea.

The 28-year-old Spanish goalkeeper is under massive pressure to retain his place after another mistake gifted the Norwegians their goal and raised fresh questions over his ability.

After the game, which saw the Gunners qualify for the knockout stages of the competition as winners of Group E, manager Arsene Wenger said he was keeping his options open for Sunday's match.

But Almunia, who was controversially chosen ahead of Jens Lehmann against Birmingham last Saturday, dismissed the doubters.

He said: "I am confident if the manager picks me for Sunday. I am experienced and I want people to talk about the good things I have done.

"It was a surprise to me when I was picked last week and I am pleased that the manager trusted me. But I do not feel under pressure and am not worried. I am happy with my work."

Almunia also received a vote of confidence from team-mate Jose Reyes, whose own form has been under scrutiny after failing to score for two months. He answered the critics with Arsenal's opening goal last night.

"I think Manu is a good player with a lot of character," said Reyes, who came into the side after Fredrik Ljungberg was ruled out with a migraine.

"The manager must trust him a lot to bring him in. As for his mental strength, he is 28 and he has proved himself. Why wouldn't he be strong enough?"

But it is clear that Wenger faces a real dilemma for the Chelsea game as Arsenal try to close the five-point gap.

He said: "I will leave it until Sunday. I'm a great believer in Almunia's potential but, at the moment, he is playing under so much pressure that he has not really been himself."