Source: Team_Talk
Almunia accepts Arsenal criticism
Arsene Wenger's team saw their Premier League title hopes rekindled following Wednesday night'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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Almunia - who made a fine late save, pushing Ryan Babel's strike onto the crossbar to secure all three points - accepts Arsenal have not delivered on the promise of previous campaigns, the last trophy being the 2005 FA Cup.[LNB]However, the 32-year-old Spaniard feels their time will come.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"The team is growing up and everybody accepts it because we cannot say anything when we don't play well.[LNB]"We just go home and wait for the next game so we can win.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"There are small points we need to improve, not technically or tactically, but personally - little things that we have to show more."[LNB]Wenger's faith in his young team has never wavered, even in the face of some fierce opposition.[LNB]The Arsenal manager has called upon the squad to maintain that self belief as they look to produce a strong finish to the campaign.[LNB]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.[LNB]Almunia revealed how a frank team meeting helped refocus attention.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"It is not possible for a team who want to be top of the table.[LNB]"We talked more with the players individually because they are young.[LNB]"They are mature, but they need to be told things clearly.[LNB]"When I was younger, the most experienced player would sometimes tell me about things.[LNB]"I was talking to William Gallas, Sol Campbell and the others - everyone was helping each other and it is a good attitude."[LNB]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.[LNB]"If we are still in the title race, it is because the other teams didn't win," he said.[LNB]"We will, though, be back in the race if we win three or four games in a row."[LNB]Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was at the centre of a row with opposite number Steven Gerrard during stoppage-time when he looked to have handled a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area.[LNB]The 21-year-old has again seen his name touted by presidential hopefuls at boyhood club Barcelona.[LNB]Almunia admits such goings-on in his homeland are bizarre.[LNB]He said: "The presidents and people at clubs talk too much. They are in the press much more than they should be.[LNB]"In England, I have never seen the directors in the press and so it is strange for me."[LNB]Almunia knows Fabregas' importance at Emirates Stadium.[LNB]He said: "Nobody has any doubt that Cesc gives everything to the game.[LNB]"He makes tackles and fights - this is the only thing that the people can expect from him."[LNB]Almunia added: "For the supporters, Cesc is a symbol of the club. For the people, he is the best.[LNB]"I have no doubts that he loves the club and Arsenal in general.[LNB]"If he has to go, and I don't know anything, he will be very sad."[LNB][LNB]
