Wenger places faith in Almunia

Manager Arsène Wenger has place his faith in under-fire goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, saying that the Spaniard is placing too much pressure on himself.

Wenger commented that the goalkeeper's position was the most difficult in the team, especially more so in the Premiership where the pace of the action is much quicker than other leagues in Europe.

The Frenchman also explained that having defenders who are nervous does not help the team. He said: "If you look across Europe you will see that goalkeeping may be the most difficult job because everything is quick.

"In England it is even harder. The difference is the goalkeeper is always in the negative publicity. If a striker misses two chances and scores two, he is a hero. If a goalkeeper has a fantastic game and makes one mistake, he is a villain.

"They are under massive pressure because of that fear to make one mistake that they know can kill their team and the game. They know it is maybe the most pressurised job in football.

"I think he [Almunia] puts a lot of pressure on his shoulders, too much.

"I believe as well the defender has the same problem. When you feel a defender is nervous it spreads as well. If he kicks the ball into the stand instead of clearing it five metres to a midfielder, the midfielder thinks 'what is happening here'. It spreads through the team."

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