{{short description|Spanish footballer (born 1977)}} {{family name hatnote|Almunia|Rivero|lang=Spanish}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Manuel Almunia | image = AlmuniaWHU.jpg | caption = Almunia warming up for West Ham United in 2011 | full_name = Manuel Almunia Rivero<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/PlayerRegistrations/2011/September%202011.ashx/September%202011.pdf|title=List of players under written contract registered between 01/09/2011 and 30/09/2011|publisher=The Football Association|access-date=5 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120428045510/http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/PlayerRegistrations/2011/September%202011.ashx/September%202011.pdf|archive-date=28 April 2012}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|5|19|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/manuel-almunia-player-bio|title=Manuel Almunia|publisher=Fox Sports|access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref> | birth_place = Pamplona, Spain | height = 1.93 m<ref name=Soccerbase>{{Soccerbase}}</ref> | position = Goalkeeper<ref>{{Hugman|276|access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref> | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Oberena | years1 = 1995–1999 | clubs1 = Osasuna B | caps1 = 46 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 1999–2000 | clubs2 = Osasuna | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 1999–2000 | clubs3 = → Cartagonova (loan) | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2000–2001 | clubs4 = Sabadell | caps4 = 29 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2001–2004 | clubs5 = Celta | caps5 = 0 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2001–2002 | clubs6 = → Eibar (loan) | caps6 = 35 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2002–2003 | clubs7 = → Recreativo (loan) | caps7 = 2 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2003–2004 | clubs8 = → Albacete (loan) | caps8 = 24 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2004–2012 | clubs9 = Arsenal | caps9 = 109 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2011 | clubs10 = → West Ham United (loan) | caps10 = 4 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2012–2014 | clubs11 = Watford | caps11 = 76 | goals11 = 0 | totalcaps = 328 | totalgoals = 0 }} '''Manuel Almunia Rivero''' (born 19 May 1977) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
He competed mainly in the Spanish lower leagues in his early years, only appearing in 26 La Liga games over two seasons with Recreativo and Albacete after starting out at Osasuna. Most of his career was spent with Arsenal, for whom he signed in 2004, going on to play 175 official matches and winning the 2005 FA Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1157208-tribute-to-manuel-rivero-almunia-loyalty-against-all-odds|title=Tribute to Arsenal's Manuel Rivero Almunia: Loyalty against all odds|publisher=Bleacher Report|first=Tony|last=Okike|date=24 April 2012|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref> He also had a short loan spell at West Ham United, joining Watford in 2012 and retiring two years later.
==Club career== ===Early career=== Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Almunia started his senior career with CA Osasuna's reserves in 1995, going on to spend four seasons with the team in the Segunda División B. Subsequently, he stayed in the same level, where he represented FC Cartagonova and CE Sabadell FC.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/osasuna/2024/12/15/el-historico-portero-navarro-ganado-supercopa-emiratos-arabes-632014-1027.html|title=El histórico portero navarro que ha ganado la Supercopa de los Emiratos Árabes|trans-title=The legendary Navarrese goalkeeper who won the Supercup of the Arab Emirates|newspaper=Diario de Navarra|first=María|last=Vallejo|language=es|date=15 December 2024|access-date=26 May 2026}}</ref>
In the summer of 2001, Almunia first reached La Liga, after signing with RC Celta de Vigo. He never represented the club officially, however, being loaned to SD Eibar<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2001/07/30/pagina-23/447036/pdf.html|title=La cesión de Boban empieza a tomar cuerpo|trans-title=Boban loan starting to gain shape|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Antonio|last=Mínguez|language=es|date=30 July 2001|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> (where he won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in the Segunda División for the 2001–02 campaign),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2002/05/27/pagina-24/491500/pdf.html|title=Liga a la baja|trans-title=League on the low|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Eduard|last=Muntané|language=es|date=27 May 2002|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> Recreativo de Huelva<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2002/07/07/pagina-11/498183/pdf.html|title=Guerrero, muy cerca del Recreativo de Huelva|trans-title=Guerrero, very close to Recreativo de Huelva|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=David|last=Izquierdo|language=es|date=7 July 2002|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> and Albacete Balompié, the last two in the top flight.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2003/07/23/pagina-32/549056/pdf.html|title=El Albacete se interesa por Jordi Cruyff y Almunia llega cedido|trans-title=Albacete ask about Jordi Cruyff and Almunia arrives on loan|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Pedro|last=Líbero|language=es|date=23 July 2003|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref>
Playing understudy to José Antonio Luque and César at ''Recre'',<ref name=HUELVA24>{{cite web|url=http://huelva24.com/art/36961/almunia-de-disputar-solo-tres-partidos-con-el-recre-a-jugar-una-final-de-la-champions|title=Almunia, de disputar sólo tres partidos con el Recre a jugar una final de la Champions|trans-title=Almunia, from taking part in only three matches with Recre to playing one Champions final|publisher=Huelva 24|language=es|date=4 April 2013|access-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> Almunia's debut in the Spanish top tier came on 17 November 2002, following a red card to the latter in a 3–0 away loss against Deportivo Alavés.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2002/11/18/pagina-14/509385/pdf.html|title=Baño de autoconfianza|trans-title=Bathing in self-confidence|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Felipe|last=Gil|language=es|date=18 November 2002|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> It was one of only two league appearances during the season, as the Andalusians suffered relegation after ranking 18th.<ref name=HUELVA24/>
At Albacete Balompié, Almunia started as backup to Carlos Roa. However, after the Argentine came down with illness he became first-choice,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2003/12/22/pagina-4/1505219/pdf.html|title=Lacruz y Prieto, con problemas gástricos|trans-title=Lacruz and Prieto, with gastric problems|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Joseba|last=Fonseca|language=es|date=22 December 2003|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> going on to help his team easily escape relegation through a 14th-place finish;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2004/05/24/pagina-21/756422/pdf.html|title=El Valencia va de fiesta en fiesta|trans-title=Valencia cannot stop partying|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Carlos|last=Urrutia|language=es|date=24 May 2004|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref> his first league appearance was on 9 November 2003, in a 1–0 home defeat to Málaga CF as Roa was suspended.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca.mundodeportivo.com/preview/2003/11/10/pagina-25/565278/pdf.html|title=Mal partido en el Carlos Belmonte|trans-title=Poor match at the Carlos Belmonte|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|first=Eduard|last=Muntané|language=es|date=10 November 2003|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref>
===Arsenal=== Almunia joined Arsenal on 14 July 2004 for an undisclosed sum, to provide backup to Jens Lehmann.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3877979.stm|title=Almunia joins Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 July 2004|access-date=29 May 2007}}</ref> He made his debut for his new team on 27 October in a 2–1 win at Manchester City in that season's League Cup,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/3947065.stm|title=Man City 1–2 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 October 2004|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> and his maiden Premier League appearance came on 4 December against Birmingham City;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/4047547.stm|title=Arsenal 3–0 Birmingham|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 December 2004|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> the highlight of his first year came in the fifth round of the FA Cup, a replay at Sheffield United: with the game finishing 0–0 after extra time and heading to penalties, he saved Alan Quinn and Jon Harley's attempts to book his team a place in the quarter-finals,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4300405.stm|title=Sheff Utd 0–0 Arsenal (aet)|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 March 2005|access-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> and was an unused substitute in the final win over Manchester United.
In the 2005–06 campaign, Almunia continued as second-choice to Lehmann, but found himself thrust into the spotlight when he replaced Robert Pires in the 20th minute of the final of the UEFA Champions League against FC Barcelona after Lehmann was sent off. He performed well for the most part, only conceding both goals in the 2–1 loss late in the game.<ref name=2006ChampionsLeagueFinal>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm|title=Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2006|access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref>
2006–07 brought Almunia 14 appearances in all competitions. This included the League Cup final, lost to Chelsea.<ref name=2007LeagueCupFinal>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm|title=Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 February 2007|access-date=26 July 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107165839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6371613.stm|archive-date=7 November 2007}}</ref> He and Lehmann were by all accounts rivals off the pitch as well. In an interview with German television in October 2007, speaking about manager Arsène Wenger's decision to drop him in favour of the Spaniard, Lehmann said: "It's possible that some day I'll feel like talking about the whole issue. But at the moment I'm just swallowing it all as part of the humiliation. But I think – and this is aimed at my dear manager – one shouldn't humiliate players for too long. I won't just fade away quietly. Almunia has not yet showed he can win matches for us. I've experienced this before and know what the others are expecting from the goalkeeper". Five months later, Almunia responded: "I treat people the way I would like to be treated myself. To have someone here who hates me is just amazing. Every morning I wake up I know it is going to be the same. But I don't care any more. I come into training and work with Łukasz Fabiański and Vito Mannone. They are better than him anyway".<ref>''The Arsenal Companion'' (2nd ed) – Paul Donnelley (Pitch Publishing 2011)</ref>
Almunia finally won the battle for first-choice duties in the 2007–08 season. Highlights included saving a penalty from Robbie Keane to help Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7145733.stm|title=Arsenal 2–1 Tottenham|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|date=22 December 2007|access-date=26 November 2013}}</ref> He was given the number one shirt after Lehmann left for VfB Stuttgart at the beginning of the 2008–09 campaign, and he saved another important penalty on 21 March 2009, this time from Newcastle United's Obafemi Martins in a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7937084.stm|title=Newcastle 1–3 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Nabil|last=Hassan|date=21 March 2009|access-date=26 November 2013}}</ref> In June 2008 he signed a new four-year contract with the English club,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/3379955/almunia-agrees-arsenal-deal|title=Almunia agrees Arsenal deal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=3 June 2008|access-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> but his subsequent performances were highly inconsistent, with brilliant displays in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester United<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8010847.stm|title=Man Utd 1–0 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Phil|last=McNulty|access-date=30 September 2011|date=29 April 2009}}</ref> and the 2010 Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/0910/post/first-team/champions-league-arsenal-2-2-barcelona|title=Arsenal 2–2 Barcelona|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=31 March 2010|access-date=3 June 2014}}</ref> and poorly received ones which resulted in rumours arising that he would be sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/07/09/2017471/arsenal-set-to-move-for-udinese-goalkeeper-samir-handanovic|title=Arsenal set to move for Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic|publisher=Goal|date=9 July 2010|access-date=10 July 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Manuel Almunia.JPG|thumb|Almunia warming up for Arsenal in 2006]] Despite the speculation, Almunia began 2010–11 as starter. However, on 25 September against West Bromwich Albion, he conceded a penalty (which he saved), let a weak shot slip through the near post and was caught out of position in the opposition's third goal;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9024632.stm|title=Arsenal 2–3 West Brom|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Les|last=Roopanarine|date=25 September 2010|access-date=26 September 2010}}</ref> he lost his place through injury and, upon his return, found himself third-choice behind the Polish duo of Fabiański and Wojciech Szczęsny.
Almunia made a return to the team on 30 January 2011 against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9379082.stm|title=Arsenal 2–1 Huddersfield|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Kevin|last=Darling|date=30 January 2011|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> and went on to play both games in the next round against Leyton Orient.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9401140.stm|title=Leyton Orient 1–1 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Bevan|date=20 February 2011|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/9410455.stm|title=Arsenal 5–0 Leyton Orient|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Chris|last=Whyatt|date=2 March 2011|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> On 8 March, he came on as a 19th-minute substitute for the injured Szczęsny against Barcelona in the Champions League last-16 stage, and made a series of saves as Arsenal lost 3–1 at the Camp Nou to exit the tournament, 4–3 on aggregate; he was voted Player of the match by fans on the club's official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1011/motm/first-team/barcelona-v-arsenal-choose-your-motm|title=Man of the Match against Barcelona – Almunia|publisher=Arsenal F.C.|date=8 March 2011|access-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204053240/http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1011/motm/first-team/barcelona-v-arsenal-choose-your-motm|archive-date=4 February 2014}}</ref>
With Szczęsny (dislocated finger), Fabianski (shoulder) and Mannone all out with injury, Almunia again became first-choice. On 19 March, during a 2–2 draw at West Bromwich, he was caught out of position along with Sébastien Squillaci, gifting the home team their second goal;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/almunia-error-dents-gunners-title-aspirations-2246933.html|title=Almunia error dents Gunners title aspirations|newspaper=The Independent|first=Phil|last=Medlicott|date=19 March 2011|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> already with Lehmann back in the club as an emergency signing, he injured his knee during warm-up of the fixture against Blackpool,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/arsenal-enjoy-day-out-at-the-seaside-1.1282379|title=Arsenal enjoy day out at the seaside|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=10 April 2011|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> and did not appear in any more matches for the rest of the season.
On 30 September 2011, Almunia signed an initial one-month emergency loan deal with Championship club West Ham United after Robert Green was ruled out for six weeks with a knee cartilage injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/7213697/hammers-land-almunia-on-loan|title=Hammers land Almunia on loan|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Pete|last=O'Rourke|date=30 September 2011|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref> He made his debut for the Hammers on 1 October in a 2–2 away draw against Crystal Palace<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/15045654.stm|title=Crystal Palace 2–2 West Ham|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 October 2011|access-date=28 July 2020}}</ref> but, at the end of October and with Green's return to fitness, he returned to Arsenal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/7283471/Almunia-returns-to-Arsenal|title=Almunia returns to Arsenal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=31 October 2011|access-date=7 November 2011}}</ref>
On 22 May 2012, Arsenal announced that Almunia and six other players would be released from their contracts as of 30 June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1076621/manuel-almunia-shown-the-arsenal-door?cc=5739|title=Almunia released|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=22 May 2012|access-date=22 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525115451/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1076621/manuel-almunia-shown-the-arsenal-door?cc=5739|archive-date=25 May 2012}}</ref>
===Watford=== In July 2012, aged 35, Almunia signed a one-year contract with Championship's Watford, replacing Scott Loach who had moved to Ipswich Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2865682,00.html|title=Official: Hornets delighted with a magnificent seven signings|publisher=Watford F.C.|date=30 July 2012|access-date=30 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802115016/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10400~2865682%2C00.html|archive-date=2 August 2012}}</ref> He played his first game on 11 August in a League Cup tie at home to Wycombe Wanderers, and kept a clean sheet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19124003|title=Watford 1–0 Wycombe|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 August 2012|access-date=3 June 2014}}</ref>
Having appeared in all thirty four of Watford's league games, Almunia injured his hamstring against Derby County on 23 February 2013. He missed the next six contests as youngster Jonathan Bond deputised in his absence,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22456923|title=Watford keeper given protective mask for play-offs|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2013|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> returning in a 0–0 home draw against Cardiff City on 6 April 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130406-almunia-post-cardiff-757429.aspx?pageView=full#anchored|title=Reaction: "Happy with clean sheet"|publisher=Watford F.C.|date=7 April 2013|access-date=3 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606214726/http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130406-almunia-post-cardiff-757429.aspx?pageView=full#anchored|archive-date=6 June 2014}}</ref>
On 12 May 2013, in the play-off semi-final second leg at home to Leicester City, Almunia made a double save from Anthony Knockaert's penalty in injury time, with Watford leading 2–1 but still level on aggregate. Watford counter-attacked from the resulting saves and Troy Deeney scored to put his team in the decisive match against Crystal Palace, where a Kevin Phillips penalty in extra time resulted in a 1–0 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22417772|title=Watford 3–1 Leicester (agg 3–2)|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Mandeep|last=Sanghera|date=15 May 2013|access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref>
Watford announced that Almunia had signed a new twelve-month deal on 5 July 2013, to keep him at the club for one further season. Manager Gianfranco Zola commented: "His experience and influence are so important for us and the impact he had at Watford last season was magnificent."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11686/8811025/Watford-goalkeeper-Manuel-Almunia-signs-new-one-year-contract|title=Watford goalkeeper Manuel Almunia signs new one-year contract|publisher=Sky Sports|date=6 July 2013|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> He left in June of the following year, as his contract expired.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27695168|title=Manuel Almunia: Watford goalkeeper among departures|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2014|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>
Almunia retired on 28 August 2014 on medical advice, after a rare heart condition was picked up during a medical with Serie A side Cagliari Calcio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28966630|title=Manuel Almunia: Ex-Arsenal keeper retires with heart problem|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2014|access-date=28 August 2014}}</ref> In 2016, he was appointed to the role of goalkeeping coach at UAE Pro League club Al Jazira Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sport360.com/article/football/english-premier-league/172543/a-day-with-former-arsenal-and-watford-goalkeeper-manuel-almunia-coach-at-al-jazira|title=A Day With: Former Arsenal and Watford goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, coach at Al Jazira|publisher=Sport 360|first=Matt|last=Monaghan|date=31 March 2016|access-date=29 June 2022}}</ref>
==International career== Almunia did not represent Spain at any level. He stated on more than one occasion his desire to play for England, only provided that he did not receive a call-up from his nation of birth first.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/3052410/almunia-eyes-international-call|title=Almunia eyes international call|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 January 2008|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2009/05/01/futbol/futbol_internacional/premier_league/1241191339.html|title=Wenger pide a Capello que cite a Almunia|trans-title=Wenger asks Capello to call Almunia|newspaper=Marca|first=Nacho|last=Silván|language=es|date=1 May 2009|access-date=2 June 2014}}</ref>
==Personal life== Almunia, whose brother served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Kosovo, has an interest in the Second World War and regularly visited sites associated with the conflict before European games with Arsenal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/history-buff-almunia-cant-wait-to-return-to-the-battlefields-of-europe-6876771.html|title=History buff Almunia can't wait to return to the battlefields of Europe|newspaper=Evening Standard|location=London|date=17 September 2008|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pressreader.com/|title=Arsenal star moved by Holocaust tale|newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle|first=Andrew|last=Pentol|date=19 September 2008|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2013/february/my-secret-passion-manuel-almunia/|title=My Secret Passion: Manuel Almunia|publisher=English Football League|date=14 February 2013|access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{BDFutbol|1827}}</ref><ref name=Soccerbase/> |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |rowspan="4"|Osasuna B |1996–97 |Segunda División B |2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||0 |- |1997–98 |Segunda División B |31||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||0 |- |1998–99 |Segunda División B |13||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !46!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!46!!0 |- |Osasuna |1998–99 |Segunda División |0||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||4||0 |- |Cartagonova |1999–2000 |Segunda División B |3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |Sabadell |2000–01 |Segunda División B |29||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||29||0 |- |Eibar |2001–02 |Segunda División |35||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||0 |- |Recreativo |2002–03 |La Liga |2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0 |- |Albacete |2003–04 |La Liga |24||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||25||0 |- |rowspan="8"|Arsenal |2004–05 |Premier League |10||0||2||0||3||0||1{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=statsUCL}}||0||0||0||16||0 |- |2005–06 |Premier League |0||0||2||0||5||0||6{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||0||0||13||0 |- |2006–07 |Premier League |1||0||5||0||6||0||2{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- |2007–08 |Premier League |29||0||0||0||0||0||9{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||38||0 |- |2008–09 |Premier League |32||0||0||0||0||0||12{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||44||0 |- |2009–10 |Premier League |29||0||0||0||0||0||7{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||36||0 |- |2010–11 |Premier League |8||0||4||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=statsUCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||14||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !109!!0!!13!!0!!14!!0!!39!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!175!!0 |- |West Ham United |2011–12 |Championship |4||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||4||0 |- |rowspan="3"|Watford |2012–13 |Championship |39||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in Football League play-offs}}||0||43||0 |- |2013–14 |Championship |37||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||38||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !76!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!3!!0!!81!!0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !328!!0!!20!!0!!15!!0!!39!!0!!3!!0!!405!!0 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Arsenal''' *FA Cup: 2004–05<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4558271.stm|title=Arsenal 0–0 Man Utd (aet)|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2005|access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref> *FA Community Shield: 2004<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3532952.stm|title=Arsenal 3–1 Man Utd|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 August 2004|access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref> *Football League Cup runner-up: 2006–07,<ref name=2007LeagueCupFinal/> 2010–11<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9405702.stm|title=Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham|first=Philip|last=McNulty|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 February 2011|access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref> *UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2005–06<ref name=2006ChampionsLeagueFinal/>
'''Individual''' *Ricardo Zamora Trophy: 2001–02 Segunda División<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdeibar.com/noticia/la-temporada-en-numeros|title=La temporada en números|trans-title=The season in numbers|publisher=SD Eibar|language=es|date=11 June 2014|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{BDFutbol}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Almunia, Manuel}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century Spanish sportsmen Category:Spanish men's footballers Category:Footballers from Pamplona Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:La Liga players Category:Segunda División players Category:Segunda División B players Category:CD Oberena players Category:CA Osasuna B players Category:CA Osasuna players Category:FC Cartagena footballers Category:CE Sabadell FC footballers Category:RC Celta de Vigo players Category:SD Eibar footballers Category:Recreativo de Huelva players Category:Albacete Balompié players Category:Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Arsenal F.C. players Category:West Ham United F.C. players Category:Watford F.C. players Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in the United Arab Emirates Category:Association football goalkeeping coaches