Almunia promises Gunners aggression

Arsenal’s glamour boys travel to Reading tonight ready to show they can win ugly.

The Gunners are known for their flair and Wednesday’s 0-0 draw in the Champions League was the first time this season Arsenal had failed to find the net.

However, goalkeeper Manuel Almunia believes Arsenal must be prepared to show they have as much rugged determination as skill if they are to extend their unbeaten run to 27 matches.

“This game we have to show our other side,” said Almunia.

“We are used to playing fantastic football, moving the ball and passing the ball. ”At Reading, me maybe have to change a bit and be aggressive in our game.

“If we are defensively focused and can move the ball well and finish well, we will have no problem in getting a result tonight.”

Almunia joined Arsenal in 2004 but has only been a regular in the Arsenal side since ousting Jens Lehmann from between the sticks in mid-August.

“I am enjoying my moment,” said the Spaniard.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I hope I can play more and more games for Arsenal until the end of the season.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger overlooked Lehmann to keep Almunia in goal for the midweek draw with Slavia Prague despite making eight changes to the side.

Lehmann turned 38 on Saturday but Wenger said: “Jens doesn’t want any presents. Jens wants to play because he thinks he is the best keeper.

“It makes it worse to put him in and out again. He has done nothing wrong. Almunia has been in the team and the team is doing well. It is as simple as that.”

Wenger insists Lehmann still has plenty of time to break back into the Arsenal team before any decision needs to be made over his future at the club.

The Germany international signed a new one-year deal earlier this year but will be free to talk to other clubs in January.

Asked whether he was prepared to risk Lehmann leaving the club in the transfer window, Wenger said: “If the situation is still like this in January we will see.

“We are still in November. November and December is plenty of time to win his place back. He is up for the challenge because he is 200% professional.”

Wenger will bring back a number of players who were absent in midweek.

Tomas Rosicky and Kolo Toure are both fit again after shrugging off injuries while Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb, who were rested for the game, are also set for a return.

“I will change things around. I left out eight players at Slavia and they are all capable of playing again,” said Wenger.