Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia could soon be taking on his north London rival Paul Robinson for the England No 1 jersey.

The Spaniard is a year away from becoming a British citizen and, having never represented Spain at any level, the 30-year-old would become eligible to play for England.

'I would never close the door on people who have shown me so much affection,' he told Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

'If I can lend England a hand once the time comes for me to be eligible — and I want to thank the country for the support it has shown me — I don't see why I shouldn't play for them. I don't rule it out.'

Errors by Tottenham keeper Robinson contributed to his national team's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Jens Lehmann has been told by his nemesis Oliver Kahn that he must leave Arsenal if he is to maintain his position as Germany’s number one in time for Euro 2008.

Kahn and Lehmann have rarely seen eye to eye but the Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who is now retired from international football, has offered advice to his one-time rival for the national team gloves.

38-year-old Lehmann has not played for Arsenal since the end of August, and having played second fiddle to Manuel Almunia, looks increasingly likely to leave during the January transfer window.

The move would be welcomed by Kahn, who acknowledges that Lehmann has given impeccable service to German football down the years.

"Jens Lehmann's services to the national team have been impeccable, but you can't play in a European championship when you are not in the team," Kahn told DSF television.
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"That's why it would be best for him to go and play where he will be in the team."

Fabianski is a future prospect. Almunia reliable. Lehmann has safe hands but just makes those silly mistakes which costs games.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has rejected speculation that Jens Lehmann is set to leave the club in the January transfer window.



Manuel Almunia's impressive form has seen 38-year-old Lehmann lose his usual first-team spot - with his last appearance coming in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn on 19th August.


Bundesliga side Wolfsburg are just one of the clubs reportedly keen on Lehmann, with reports suggesting he is keen on a move back to his homeland.



Nothing concrete


But Wenger insists the German international remains in his plans, and he has rejected claims that Arsenal have been in contact with Wolfsburg.


"No, it's not true. It's only newspaper talk because nothing concrete has been discussed between me and Jens and nothing between me and Wolfsburg," he told the club's official website.


"At the moment I do not want to speculate on any movement in the transfer window. We want to focus on our games and Jens is part of that."

i seem to prefer fabianski than almunia he conviced me more with his performance against blackburn especially thats freekick shot he kept hold on to

I remember Almunia was the hero for a few shootouts in a Carling Cup a few years ago, once against Doncaster and I can't remember the other one. I can't recall him saving any in-match penalties. Jens saved that one against Villareal and won the shootout against Argentina.

I'd say Jens is better at saving penalties, but only just.

It's one thing for an unknown teenager to make his name at Arsenal. But an unheralded goalkeeper in his early 30s? Manuel Almunia is certainly bucking the trend.

The Spaniard enhanced his reputation again on Saturday, saving Robbie Keane's penalty in the North London derby with the scores locked at 1-1 and just 18 minutes to play. Almunia's intervention was the catalyst for a memorable home win as Nicklas Bendtner soared highest to head home the winner.

The Dane, like so many others, arrived at Arsenal with bags of potential but little experience. Almunia, in sharp contrast, looked to have missed the boat when he was plucked from relative obscurity in the summer of 2004. As Celta Vigo's keeper, Almunia was farmed out on loan to Eibar, Recreativo Huelva and Albacete before Wenger took a chance on the then 27-year-old. It looks like the gamble has paid off.

"He came here without a CV but he has made a name for himself, which is not easy at a big club," said Wenger.

"We always knew he was good but we were asking ourselves: 'How can he become the goalkeeper for Arsenal?' He had not played in a big club before and he made a few mistakes but now he looks like he has gained confidence and everyone can see how good he is."

Almunia played second fiddle to Jens Lehmann for three long seasons before grasping his opportunity three games into the current campaign. Wenger believes that the Spaniard is under more pressure than most keepers because the man breathing down his neck has a stack of medals and international caps to his name.

But it's a sign of Almunia's progress that Wenger believes he is good enough to represent his adopted country when the Spaniard qualifies for English citizenship next year.

"Everyone makes mistakes - Reina, van der Sar, everyone," said Wenger. "But he [Almunia] was under more pressure than anyone else in the Premier League because he has been under pressure from an outstanding goalkeeper in Jens Lehmann.

"He has not only a lack of experience but someone behind him who is excellent and that is a tough test. If he has a bad game, he is under pressure to get back to form straight away because he knows who else we have. I don't know about Jens' remarks or not but he has had to deal with it. It's a double-pressure.

"That's the way of things when you are top-level sportsmen: the competition is very strong. It comes from within your camp and also from your opponents.

"I don't know why he hasn't been called up by Spain but all I would say is that England should take advantage of it and call him up."

I just rewatched Barcelona's goals in the CL Final.Ouch.I swear, if Almunia ever did that again, I don't know what I'd do.Let's hope if we're ever in another final,that doesn't happen again.

"Stint" on the bench?So he's number one now?