Arsenal's Manuel Almunia Shows How Quickly Things Can Change in Football

Manuel Almunia produced his best display so far in an Arsenal shirt as the Gunners were made to weather the storm against Barcelona.

The Spaniard has been criticised in the last week and in recent years as a weak link in the side by the press and Arsenal fans alike.

Almunia failed to deal with a Kevin Phillips' effort late on at Birmingham on Saturday which could prove costly in Arsenal's push for the Premier League title.

But his performance in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg shows just how quickly things can change in football.

Almunia pulled off a string of top quality saves in the first half to keep his side in the contest as Arsenal desperately survived a Barcelona masterclass.

A fine save down low from a well-worked corner stopped Sergio Busquets scoring within minutes of the kick off.

Almunia looked the only Arsenal player not to be left mesmerised by the pace and movement of Barcelona.

A surprisingly quiet Lionel Messi found space on the edge of the box but Almunia kept the ball out with his shin.

Almunia then rushed out to block a Zlatan Ibrahimovic effort with a strong left arm and moments later made the best save of all.

Barcelona ran Arsenal ragged for the first half-hour. Another move ended in Xavi turning away from Gael Clichy in the penalty area but Almunia rushed out and made a superb block from close range as the Spanish midfield maestro looked destined to open the scoring.

Arsenal somehow survived the Barcelona barrage and went in at half time level.

However moments after the restart, Almunia had a rush of blood to the head. A long ball from Gerard Pique found Ibrahimovic who lifted the ball over Almunia who had charged off his line far too prematurely.

This has been a tendency of Almunia in the past. Arsenal fans will remember Almunia rushing off his line to give away a penalty for a foul on Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford earlier this season.

Another high ball, which we are not used to seeing from Barcelona, carved open the Arsenal defenders once more.

Xavi's ball found Ibrahimovic who lashed home a powerful effort at the near post. The ball was past Almunia in a flash.

Arsenal will have gained many fans for the way they never gave up despite Barcelona's domination.

Arsenal enjoyed possession in the later stages of the game and found two incredibly important goals.

The introduction of second half substitution Theo Walcott caused Barcelona problems and he scored Arsenal's first with a low drive under Victor Valdes.

As Arsenal pushed for the equaliser, Messi found space and brought another good save from Almunia down the left.

Ibrahimovic was replaced by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry but the momentum shifted Arsenal's way.

With five minutes remaining Nicklas Bendtner showed great awareness to cushion a header into Cesc Fabregas' path but Carles Puyol clipped Fabregas as he prepared to shoot and Fabregas duly converted the penalty.

Arsenal hardly deserved the result on the balance of play but the never say die attitude shown by the players, and Almunia in particular, has been the basis for Arsenal's late push for honours this season.

Almunia received criticism for the costly mistake at St. Andrews but commanded respect from Arsenal fans with his Champions League display who will wonder why he cannot perform at that level every week.

With that brings a possible reason why. Arsenal are unlikely to face such an onslaught of attacks at goal than against Barcelona which kept Almunia on his toes. I think a lack of concentration is a big problem with Almunia.

There have been strong calls for Arsenal to buy another goalkeeper in the summer and I think they are justified if the current Arsenal team is to fulfill its potential.

However, Almunia is the senior goalkeeper at the club and will remain in goal until the end of the season at least. He needs the support of the fans.

Despite Almunia's error prone performances of late, Arsenal have him to thank for having something to play for in the Nou Camp next week.