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Almunia targets fast start

Mon 06 Jul, 03:28 PM


Manuel Almunia maintains Arsenal must focus right from kick-off when the new season get under way if they are to make an impact on the Premier League title race.

The Gunners squad returned to London Colney for the start of pre-season training on Monday, although those with a busy summer of international duty, like captain Cesc Fabregas and England Under-21 duo Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs, have been given some extra time off.

It was a slow start to the last campaign - with five defeats from the first 14 matches - which all but ended Arsenal's championship ambitions. Arsene Wenger's men eventually did recover form to eventually finish fourth, reaching the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League, but goalkeeper Almunia insists the same mistakes cannot be made this time around.

"Overall we needed to be more focused at the start of the season," the 32-year-old said in the July edition of the official Arsenal magazine.

"If we had all been more involved with the mission at the start of the season, it could have been a better year for us. In the last half of the season I think everyone realised what was required and you could see the results.

"I think sometimes something has to be said to make things work right and when certain things were spoken about, it proved to make people focus on things. The second half of the season showed what we can do, but you have to be fit mentally and physically from the start and be fully involved with the project of the boss."

 

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  1. Note the dickheads getting at Almunia who was a steady­ and excellent goalkeeper for Arsenal. We do need­ everyone to be commited and strong right from the­ start. With Man U and Chelsea having to make changes­ this is our chance to show how good we are and make the­ most of any weaknesses of the other big three.

    From glynisperfect, on Tue 7 Jul 3:18PM

  2. message 2 if u say anything about arsenal or its­ players u will see u shitbag

    From otsman2005, on Tue 7 Jul 2:04PM

  3. Almunia is right,ds season d players must be focus and­ show fightiñ metallity,discipline and win d trophy for­ d coach and d fans.
    4m Unwana
    Nigeria

    From unwana a, on Tue 7 Jul 5:50AM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    this would be the same guy who lets free kicks from 40­ yards in but carries a stupid dog in a bling coat down­ the road.... lets hope a new keeper is on the shopping­ list

    From a.foster374, on Mon 6 Jul 10:32PM
  5. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    aluminio just shut up you talk bull then u @#$% in u­ pants on big games. u made ronaldo paneleiro worth­ £80mill because u @#$% n Aw will pay for trusting u­ because u salary is good, but can u play for spain? or­ england? please shut up n focus, Lehman was u big daddy­ and u should lernt from hm just cut u stupid blonde­ hair u make the Gunners look like shemales ok. focus­ and watch FABIANSK AT LEAT PLAYS FOR pOLAND MATE...

    From Paulo, on Mon 6 Jul 8:19PM

  6. nice

    From ruchi, on Mon 6 Jul 5:50PM

  7. but almunia you need to play a big part too man­ don't just talk make some saves and keep clean­ sheets too

    From donkmonker, on Mon 6 Jul 5:41PM

  8. Well said Almunia. I hope the others are listening.­ Please make this an Obasanjo i.e DO OR DIE AFFAIR.­ Period. Sir Happy from Nigeria

    From happy, on Mon 6 Jul 4:39PM

  9. Well said Almunia, you are the only player that has­ stayed focused and have been consistant throughout last­ season, the whole team needs to take a leaf out of your­ book

    From Bob, on Mon 6 Jul 3:37PM
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