When Manuel Almunia threw his shirt and armband into the crowd after the whistle blew on a mightily impressive Arsenal victory against arch-nemeses Blackburn Rovers, it seemed a statement of finality.

If it turns out to be the Spaniard’s goodbye to the fans rather than a mere hasta pronto, he can at least close the book on his Gunners career with his head held high.
Few professional footballers have had to put up with the kind of criticism and derision that has been directed at Almunia while he has maintained his paper-thin grip on the Arsenal No.1 shirt.

He has made blunders, of course he has. Too many for comfort, and too many when the pressure has been at its most intense.

Most Gooners had made up their minds three or four seasons ago that Almunia had neither the physical presence nor presence of mind for a team with genuine trophy-winning aspirations.

Compare his rabbit-caught-in-headlights on-field persona with the sheer exuberance and absolute confidence in his own ability displayed by Joe Hart since displacing Shay Given in the Manchester City goal.

That Wenger has continued to persist with him through thick and thin – mostly thin – is testament to the Frenchman’s consistency of selection and faith in his own decision-making. Perhaps a hint of that Alsatian stubbornness, too.

Nevertheless, the abuse and ridicule that Almunia has suffered has been horrible to witness at times.

As any journalist who has spent time with the Spaniard knows, he is as charming and pleasant as they come in a profession not renowned for its grounded, approachable personnel.

Wenger has taken Almunia out of the firing line at times to allow him to regain his shattered confidence away from the Emirates Stadium microscope.

After being selected ahead of the equally fallible Lukasz Fabianksi for Arsenal’s curtain-raising 1-1 draw against Liverpool, the Spaniard admitted that he had found the criticism tough to handle at times.

“To be honest, it is so difficult to concentrate because Arsenal is a big club and speculation is always in the news and everywhere,” he admitted.

Even the London Colney bubble does not provide complete protection from the constant opinions emanating from phone-ins, messageboards, TV programmes and forums such as this.

So, Almunia’s solid display at Ewood Park, where Fabianski had been monstered by a Christopher Samba-led assault at the end of last season, was a welcome victory for the underdog – and a good guy.

He dealt capably with the inevitable bombardment on his goalmouth, punched with conviction and commanded his backline as well as he has done for any tricky away day engagement.

Those who believe all Arsenal’s ills will be solved by the acquisition of 37-year-old Mark Schwarzer may be in for a rude awakening.