Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia claims the Gunners players "have a laugh" when they see headlines claiming they are all about to be sold off or boss Arsene Wenger is set to leave. "We are not affected (by transfer speculation) and sometimes it is a good thing for us because we make jokes about it when it comes out in the press," Almunia told Spanish sports magazine Don Ballon.

"We say 'did you see that you have signed with Barcelona, once again?' We have a laugh because it is almost always untrue. It is talking for talking.

"Many things are said to sell newspapers, but as far as we are concerned we remain pretty much relaxed."

The 31-year-old Spaniard is in no doubt of the influence Wenger has been on the squad.

"Working alongside him makes you feel incredibly relaxed and at peace," Almunia said.

"We train hard day in, day out, but he tells us that we will only feel the pressure at the end of the week, during the game.

"We call him the boss. He is the visible face of this club, of Arsenal's project and he is very important for the club."