BIOGRAPHY
Manuel Almunia Rivero born 19 May 1977 is a Spanish footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal.
Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Almunia started his senior career with Osasuna's reserve team in 1997, playing two seasons with the team in Segunda División B. He went on to spend two more seasons in the category, with Cartagena and Sabadell, joining the top flight in 2001–02, with Real Club Celta de Vigo.
However, shortly after joining Celta, Almunia was loaned out to Segunda División side Eibar, where he spent 2001–02 as first-choice goalkeeper. During the 2002–03 season, Celta loaned him out to first-division club Recreativo de Huelva, where he played understudy to José Antonio Luque and César, only making two league appearances. Almunia's debut in the first division came on 17 November 2002, following a red card to the latter, in a 0–3 defeat at Deportivo Alavés.
He then returned to Celta, being loaned for the third and final time, now to Albacete Balompié on 1 November 2003. He made his club debut the following week, in a 1–0 loss at Málaga. Almunia achieved first-choice status, making a total of 24 league appearances until the end of the season, while helping Albacete finish 14th.
International career
Almunia has not played in any international matches, and stated on more than one occasion about his wish to play for England, but only provided that he did not receive a call-up from the Euro 2008-winning Spain first. He was not called up to Spain's national team for Euro 2008 so the option of playing for England is still available to him
Personal information
Full name: Manuel Almunia Rivero
Date of birth: 19 May 1977 (1977-05-19)
Place of birth: Pamplona, Spain
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Playing position: Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club: Arsenal
Number: 1
Senior career*
1997–1999 Osasuna B 44 (0)
1999–2000 Osasuna 0 (0)
1999–2000 → Cartagena (loan) 3 (0)
2000–2001 Sabadell 25 (0)
2001–2004 Celta Vigo 0 (0)
2001–2002 → Eibar (loan) 35 (0)
2002–2003 → Recreativo Huelva (loan) 2 (0)
2003–2004 → Albacete (loan) 24 (0)
2004– Arsenal 107 (0)
