Almunia learns secret of success

His mere presence is enough to induce apprehension in Benitez, the Liverpool coaching staff and players, who are all hoping - just like Arsene Wenger and his men - to salvage their season with a place in the Champions League Final in Moscow next month.

Tonight, Almunia faces a Liverpool team against whom he has an exemplary record. Benitez needs no reminding that his Spanish compatriot has met his team four times and is yet to finish on the losing side.

The Liverpool coach knows that an impressive goalkeeping performance can reduce the best-laid plans to tatters - and Almunia has saved some of his finest displays for the Merseysiders.

"I love playing Liverpool," he said. "I'm always happy to play against them, especially at Anfield."

His three wins and a draw against Liverpool include victories at Anfield last season in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.

"We invariably score at Anfield so that is a good sign for the second leg," he said.

Indeed, Benitez does not seem to have much luck at all when Almunia is around.

"My first club was Osasuna and Rafa was the coach back in 1996," recalled the Arsenal goalkeeper. "Although I started in the 'B' team he coached me quite a lot. It was not a lucky time for him. There was no indication then that he would be so successful because the team was nearly relegated and he got sacked."

While it may be nearly 20 years since Liverpool last won the domestic title, Benitez has enhanced the club's illustrious European record by winning the Champions League in 2005 and finishing runners-up last season. He has a winning pedigree at the highest level of the club game, but Almunia is confident he can stop him from improving it.

Having waited patiently in the shadow of Jens Lehmann, the 30-year-old Spaniard has finally been given an extended run in the team. He is responded with a string of outstanding performances.

Almunia has kept six clean sheets in seven Champions League appearances this season and hopes to further improve that record when Arsenal bid for a place in the semi-finals before a capacity crowd at Emirates Stadium tonight.

He also played a part in Arsenal's record-breaking run of 10 consecutive Champions League clean sheets in 2005-06 and, of course, played 72 minutes of the final against Barcelona following the dismissal of Lehmann for a foul on Samuel Eto'o.

But, until this season, he was regarded as Lehmann's understudy. "I was very patient, waiting for my chance," he said.

"Waiting at Arsenal is easier than waiting at most other clubs. The training ground, the facilities, the way they look after you - it makes working a pleasure.

"But at a club like this, where competition for places is so strong, you have to learn to look after yourself. I have learned and I am more mature because of it. I have improved as a goalkeeper and I'm now confident of my position in the team.

"I have also learned the secret of playing for a big club like Arsenal. It is anticipation, making the right decision at the right moment."

Almunia gives Arsenal's goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton, who won 33 caps for the Republic of Ireland, much of the credit for his improvement. "He has supported me and I have to give him a lot of thanks," he said. "If I am the first choice at Arsenal it is because of him."

Peyton, the former Fulham goalkeeper, believes that Almunia has developed so well that he is good enough to play international football.

Spain have so far ignored him but, if the chance comes along, Peyton has told him he should play for England. He qualifies next year - his fifth at Arsenal following a move from Celta Vigo in 2004.

"If the possibility came along I would seriously consider playing for England," he said. But the challenges facing Arsenal in the final weeks of the season are of more interest to Almunia. Indifferent League form has probably cost them the title, leaving the Champions League a more realistic target. "If one or two players slip below their best maybe it's okay but if four or five are down then you have a problem," he said. "Cesc Fabregas played one of the best games I've seen from him in Milan but it's difficult to maintain that kind of level.

"Everyone was 100 per cent that night in Milan and if we repeat it we can win the Champions League this season. At our best we're good enough. The most important thing at the moment is not to concede a goal tonight. We'll score at Anfield. We always do."