Almunia says Arsenal will have no excuses for failure next season

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 11:52 EST, 21 May 2008

Manuel Almunia insists there can be no defence if Arsenal fail to last the entire course in the title race next season.

As the Gunners look to the future both rivals Manchester United and Chelsea prepare to go head-to-head in tonight's Champions League final.

Although Arsene Wenger's young side finished only four points off eventual Barclays Premier League winners United, and two behind runners-up spot, losing just three games in total, their challenge effectively came to an end in mid-April following a run of four straight draws and defeats at both Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.

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Manuel Almunia: the time for underachievement has gone for Arsenal says the Spanish keeper

That spell of inconsistent form - which also saw European hopes extinguished by Liverpool - meant successive victories in the final four games counted for little other than to restore wounded pride.

However, goalkeeper Almunia maintains Arsenal must learn from the mistakes which saw their lead at the top of the table quickly eroded and also ended ambitions of reaching tonight's end-of-season showcase in Moscow.

"The season may not have ended very well for us, but this was the year to push us for better things," Almunia told Arsenal TV Online.

"Next season there can be no excuses not to fight for the Premier League until the end of the season.

"We need to be at the top for the whole season, not only at the beginning or the middle - and that is in all competitions as well."

Despite the disappointment of ending the campaign empty handed, Almunia can take credit for making the Arsenal keeper's jersey his own ahead of veteran German Jens Lehmann.

However, the 31-year-old - signed from Celta Vigo in 2004 - is not taking his place as number one for granted.

"I do not look too far ahead, just to the next game," said Almunia. "If you expect to play many games you can twist your ankle, your wrist in training, and everything is finished. All of your expectations are gone."

Despite his consistent displays for the Gunners, as yet Almunia has not earned international recognition ahead of the European Championships.

With Spain captain Iker Casillas, of Real Madrid, and Liverpool's Jose Reina ahead of him in the current pecking order, the Arsenal keeper does not expect to have to re-arrange his plans for a well-earned summer break.

"Many people say I deserve to be in the squad, but at the moment there are many good goalkeepers in Spain. The coach is not worried about goalkeepers," said Almunia, who could eventually qualify for the England national team through residency in the United Kingdom.

"Now I will look forward to my holidays with my wife, and will enjoy the Euros watching on TV while having a nice dinner."