Source: Daily_Mail
Arsene Wenger boosts Manuel Almunia, but Arsenal boss has eyes on Lyon's Hugo Lloris
Manuel Almunia has been told by Arsene Wenger that he will remain Arsenal's No 1goalkeeper. But as the Spaniard prepares to face Wolves today he may be interested in the rave review Wenger has given fellow Frenchman Hugo Lloris, the 22-year-old Lyon keeper who starred in the Champions League midweek frustration of Liverpool.'A fantastic keeper who will be a fantastic keeper in the future,' was Wenger's warm plaudit about the young man who has taken over the France No.1 jersey and could be a star of the World Cup finals if France get past Ireland in the play-offs. When asked if he though Lloris was France's best keeper for some time, Wenger gave an emphatic 'Yes'. Long barrier: Lloris was at his best against LiverpoolAnd when asked if he could one day be an Arsenal keeper, Wenger paused, before saying: 'I don't know. At the moment we don't need a keeper.' No 1 - for now: AlmuniaSpurs and AC Milan showed interest before Lloris left his home town club Nice to join Lyon at the start of last season and it is a certainty that Wenger has been charting his progress.First refusal may be the nearest Arsenal are to signing him right now but Almunia knows he has to impress in a position that Wenger feels is full of 'negative stress'.Almunia produced one stunning save during Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League win over AZ Alkmaar, to suggest his early season doubts are behind him. Wenger added: 'He needs a few games for match fitness but I'm not worried about him.'The break he had gave him a good breather. I feel he was a bit affected by the mistakes he made against Portsmouth but overall, I would not have dropped him if he had not been sick.'Almunia already has Italian Vito Mannone as front line competition at Arsenal but it's the shadow of Lloris that could be the most prominent. Wolves boss Mick McCarthy vows to attack in-form Arsenal ARSENAL FC