Almunia an Apology.

Champions
By Press Statement
December 30 2004

We would like to clear up a misconception about Her Majesty’s Press (HMP) and Arsene Wenger’s decision to select Almunia. In common with other red tops we may have given the impression that Wenger’s goalkeeper selection policy was completely mad and that we mocked Almunia as Fawlty Manuel.

That Jens Lehmann, a goalkeeper we have appeared to criticise as inadequate, is the only sensible and logical choice.

We now realise that such a response was totally inappropriate and that as the Arsenal registered their third consecutive clean sheet in the league, and a fourth in five games that this is a complete vindication of Wenger’s decision. In no way was it our intention to give the impression that Almunia was less than adequate.

It is, indeed, our pleasure to note that after a difficult start, the untried Spaniard has grown in stature. And of course he could always depend on the support and encouragement of HMP, he made a fantastic save against Newcastle to keep out Ameobi, even though referee Steve Bennett awarded a goal-kick. His display more than rewarded our confidence in him when others doubted.

He is probably the greatest goalkeeper since David (safe hands) Seaman, and is single handedly responsible for steadying the Arsenal defence (steady on there Ed).

We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Mr Wenger, Almunia, and the Arsenal football team for any distress which earlier reports may have inadvertently caused

HMP.

(With apologies to Private Eye)