Almunia accepts Gunners criticism

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia says Arsenal deserve to be criticised for their struggle in challenging for the title.



Arsene Wenger's team saw their Barclays Premier League title hopes rekindled following Wednesday's 1-0 win over Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium as both leaders Chelsea, beaten at Everton, and Manchester United, who drew at Aston Villa, dropped points.

While there is still plenty of hard work ahead for the Gunners to remain in contention, Wenger can take heart from his team's apparent easier run from now on - having lost to both United and Chelsea before completing the double over fourth-placed Liverpool.

Almunia - who made a fine late save by pushing Ryan Babel's strike onto the crossbar to secure three points - accepts Arsenal have not delivered on the promise of previous campaigns, the last trophy being the 2005 FA Cup.

refocus attention

However, the 32-year-old Spaniard feels their time will come.

"We accept all the critics. Arsenal is a big club and we deserve to be criticised because we have been playing for many years without fighting for the title," said Almunia.

"The team is growing up and everybody accepts it because we cannot say anything when we don't play well.

"We just go home and wait for the next game so we can win.

"Against United we were not on our game at any time. Against Chelsea we played well, but as soon as we switched off a bit, we lost.

"There are small points we need to improve, not technically or tactically, but personally - little things that we have to show more."

Wenger's faith in his young team has never wavered, even in the face of some fierce opposition.

The Arsenal manager has called upon the squad to maintain that self belief as they look to produce a strong finish to the campaign.

The Gunners will have a weekend off as they are no longer in the FA Cup, before a return to Champions League action at Porto next Wednesday night when Croatia striker Eduardo could be back from a hamstring problem, while Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri will also undergo treatment after picking up knocks against Liverpool.

Almunia revealed how a frank team meeting helped refocus attention.

"We were talking about our last two games and we said to each other that it is not possible not to show character on the pitch," the Arsenal keeper said.

winning ways

"It is not possible for a team who want to be top of the table.

"We talked more with the players individually because they are young.

"They are mature, but they need to be told things clearly.

"When I was younger, the most experienced player would sometimes tell me about things.

"I was talking to William Gallas, Sol Campbell and the others - everyone was helping each other and it is a good attitude."

Despite Arsenal getting back to winning ways after taking just one point from the previous three matches, Almunia accepts their fate is now out of their hands.

"If we are still in the title race, it is because the other teams didn't win," he said.

"We will, though, be back in the race if we win three or four games in a row."