Manuel Almunia for England Saga Raisies Questions Over Internationals

What a difference a few weeks can make in football.

Before the turn of the year many Arsenal fans were looking for a goalkeeping replacement as Spanish keeper Manuel Almunia became one of many scapegoats for the Gunners' early season failures.

Fast forward to Wednesday night and the bleached shot stopper almost single handledly kept the North London club in the UEFA Champions League with a string of fantastic saves in an immense display.

Almunia arrived at Arsenal from Celta Vigo in 2004 as a back up for Jens Lehmann. Since then he has rarely been seen as much else.

After Lehmann made some blunders in the 2007-2008 season, Almunia forced his way into contention for the number one spot and has kept it ever since. However, some argue that is was not Almunia's displays but Arsene Wenger's lack of trust in the German which saw Almunia become Arsenal's regular starter between the sticks.

However, while the raising of Almunia's game and his extra confidence in goal have been of huge benefit to Arsenal, some have called for him to receive a call up to the English international squad.

These calls grew following Wednesday night's display at Old Trafford and with it an old debate resurfaced.

Manuel Almunia is a Pamplona native with no ties to England. He is as English as a frankfurter sausage. 

However, having spent almost five years in England, Almunia will soon be able to apply for and claim English citizenship. Since he has never represented Spain under the rules of the sport's governing body he would be within his rights to wear the three lions shirt.

The goalkeeping area has been problematic in recent times with the undoubted abilities of David James, Scott Carson, and Rob Green being sidelined in favour of highlighting their comic errors which at times have cost England dearly.

But is a Spanish native with no real ties to England the answer? 

If Almunia is not rated highly enough by the Spanish FA to displace Casillas, Reina, and Valdes should he be given an international shot by England or should he just grin and bare it?

Surely the purpose of playing international football is to fight for your country and do your best for your homeland. How much could Almunia give for England?

Questions over the state of international football have been brewing for some time with the likes of Liverpool's Jamie Carragher prioritizing club football over the international scene.

If players from their country of birth refuse to play for that side and are replaced by foreign imports then is their much point in having international football?

To a point, non-nationals playing for a different country can work, just ask Jack Charlton.

During his reign as the manager of the Republic Of Ireland, Charlton used the "grandparent" rule to great effect. 

Ray Houghton, Mick McCarthy, and John Aldridge among others all played for Ireland despite been born in Scotland and England respectively.

However, in recent years this "stealing of players" has grown to a whole new level.

There are a number of Brazilians plying their trade in Europe who have been unable to break into their national side and have instead declared for European sides.

Deco, then at Porto, declared for Portugal. Eduardo Da Silva, then at Croatia Zagreb, declared for Croatia and recently Roger Guerreiro of Legia Warsaw has declared for Poland.

Argentine Emmanuel Culio who had some great appearances for CFR Cluj in the early stages of this season's Champions League is expected to gain Romanian citizenship so he can play for the national side.

Again the question is being raised, if these players can get citizenship (often rushed through by governments) and represent a country they have no ties to, what will that do to the state of international football?

How will the international scene differ from the club one?

Will it not just be twenty two players on a pitch playing for money and a trophy instead of national pride?

Or after five years does Manuel Almunia feel "English" enough to represent the country?

Either way, should Almunia declare for England it will be all very legal but whether it is for the good of the international game is another matter indeed.