Manuel Almunia is shaken by Arsene Wenger's search for a new keeper

Can't look: Manuel Almunia will be expected to make way should Schwarzer join Arsenal
11 April 2012

Manuel Almunia today admitted he is unsettled by speculation linking Arsenal with a new goalkeeper and will consider his future should one arrive before the end of the transfer window.

The Gunners are expected to make an improved offer of around £2.5million for Fulham's Mark Schwarzer this week after having an initial bid rejected prior to the World Cup.

Mark Hughes's reluctance to allow the 37-year-old to leave Craven Cottage is stalling the deal but Arsene Wenger is thought to be confident of landing his top target with two weeks left to negotiate.

Almunia captained Arsenal in yesterday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield but will be expected to make way should Schwarzer join Arsenal and the Spaniard revealed the situation has been tough to handle.

"To be honest, it is so difficult to concentrate because Arsenal is a big club and speculation is always in the news and everywhere," he said.

"The only thing I can do is keep working because I have a contract here and I have to do what the manager wants from me. I have not spoken to him. If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it. I cannot talk now, because the talking would be for nothing.

"I have to work and if one day I am not good for Arsenal, I will talk. That is no problem. I am very happy here.

"The only news I have is from third parties — people at the training ground. When I go out and when I come back from training, I switch off.

"I try to live in a bubble and give all my attention to my wife. Every morning when I go out training, it is the time to think about football. But the rest of the day is the time to switch off.

"It is not easy, though. Every time you go out, people are around you who are football fans. But you have to be polite to everybody and smile."

Almunia has been linked with a move to Aston Villa should he become surplus to requirements at Emirates Stadium but the 33-year-old said he is unlikely to play for another English team having spent six years at Arsenal.

He is equally opposed to a move back to Spain, where he began his career with Recreativo before spells with Celta Vigo and Albacete, believing himself to be too old to rebuild his career in another country.

It is thought Almunia may one day move into coaching at a junior level but he remains keen to stay with the Gunners. "I don't see anything else outside of Arsenal," he said.

"It will be very difficult to play for another team in England if it wasn't Arsenal. Spain would also be difficult. But I am 33 years old and only have a few more years left in football. I would like to enjoy them. I am a keeper who enjoys playing."

Wenger refused to add to the speculation surrounding Arsenal's goalkeeping situation and said: "At the moment it is better for me not to talk about that because it doesn't help the keepers who play for us."

Almunia was beaten at his near post by Liverpool's David Ngog just after the restart at Anfield but Wenger added: "I believe Almunia had a good game yesterday."

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