Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Amos 
Date:Wednesday July 16 2008
Time: 11:51AM
UK time is: 20:13:45
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Seaman backs Almunia
Arsenal goalkeeping legend, David Seaman, voted at 7th in the Arsenal.com poll of the clubs 50 greatest players has backed Almunia as the club`s number 1.Manuel Almunia has proved he is one of the top keepers in the Premier League and I feel his consistent play means Arsene Wenger can concentrate on improving other areas of the pitch. It is not easy replacing someone of the stature of Jens Lehmann but Manuel did a very good job and kept him on the bench for long spells during his final year at the Emirates Stadium and that has to say something about his ability.
Seaman told Sky Sports.
Adding "I saw a big change in him last season. He was more confident in his own ability. When he used to come in for the odd game, he looked nervy but now he's got that confidence about him - he looks the part."
Almunia clocked up 38 appearances last season keeping 17 clean sheets in the process. The 31 year old Spaniard joined the club 4 years ago from Celta Vigo and has had to wait patiently before securing a starting position last season at the expense of Jens Lehmann.
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Your Comments
Backing doesn't come any better OR bigger than in the form of David Seaman!
LondonGooner
I hope Almunia goes on to have a better season this time around. He was quite good last season, but his confidence will now be higher and this backing of Seaman will surely aid that. He won us a couple of matches last season, and he needs to deliver that consistently.
prits
When you think he got his chance unexpectedly last season and that was his first real full season, it's not unreasonable to think he will be even better this year on the back of gaining confidence. I wasn't happy with a couple of incidents last year but he deserves his chance.
Gooner_Vin
I still need convincing, but I'm open to being convinced this year if you know what I mean? I rate him, I just believe a club like ours should have a world class goalkeeper who should be number 1 for his country. I don't see Almunia as world class or as a matchwinner.
Little Dutch
Agreed LD - He is a good quality keeper, fairly solid, but ultimately a good, well placed shot will always beat him. I think I've only seen him pull off one world class save, where as Mad Jens and Safe Hands would do them at regular intervals. At the end of the day Big Dave is far too nice a guy to say anything bad about anyone!!
Rocky7
As a goalkeeper myself I think I'm qualified to say that watching Almunia, he's a GOOD goalkeeper but not a Seaman or a Schmeichel world class keeper. There were a couple of times last season when I thought his positioning was a bit suspect and a few goals where I thought Seaman would have saved those shots even in the later stage in his career. I mean would he be able to do a Seaman save like the FA Cup Semi final v Sheff United? I don't think so. Still hopefully this past year has done him some good and I can be proved wrong!
itsup4grabsnow
almunia is a decent keeper but i do think you could do alot better.
Branston_Imp
He does make the comfortable save look difficult, but as long as he makes those saves, I dont care. I do agree that he's not a world class keeper, but he's good enough to carry us through this season.
prits
17 clean sheets last season? Jens only got about 4 or 5 the season before. yes we can do better but to get a world class keeper you need 15-20 million and we dont have that sort of money to spend on a Goalkeeper, Fabianski will be number one in two years time anyway:)
ExRox
I agree with LD, I still need convincing. I hope he'll step up to a higher level again next season. A lot has to do with a steady centre half pairing on front of him, and he didn't have that last season. I'll be reall worried if he picks up an injury though. There is a new season ahead, and we as fans must get behind all our players. They start off on a clean sheet and deserve our total backing... that includes Eboue. Come on the Gunners!!!! Can you tell I'm getting excited with a game on saturday!
Bradys Chips
I think he deserves the chance this year to prove himself.
gunnerkid107
I just think he needs more big match experience to get that confidence and know how that world class goalkeepers have. That does not come from nowhere it has to be learnt on the pitch. His decision making will improve as he develops his understanding with his defenders. One strength he does have is that he will act as a sweeper behind the defenders and is quite good with his feet.
Passenal
To be honest he surprised me last season. So I'll keep quiet and hope the confidence gained will do him and us a lot of good. I'm confident too. Also can't wait to see Fabianski in pre-season and then cup games. I have a feeling that the kid will show what he's made of, with more games this season.
Lou the Gunneress
he isnt in the top echelon of goalkeepers, but then he is not that far off either. maybe he can step up this season. who knows? look at the way flamini stepped up last season. almunia will keep fabianski out of the starting 11 for a while yet i reckon. unless injured of course...
supersof
As long as he knows that HE IS the number one keeper at Arsenal...then this will make him more confident.....nothing worse than have a more experienced keeper in the background sniping behind your back just waiting for you to make a mistake....
radarman
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