Manuel Almunia, whose battle with Jens Lehmann has kept both men in the spotlight this season, was content on both levels after a couple of important saves.

"I'm very happy with my performance and with the performance of the team," the goalkeeper told Sky Sports 1. "We're definitely doing very well and that's the most important thing.

"For me I must keep the level up every game and I am very pleased with my own performance."

The conditions were awful for both sides but Almunia believes Arsene Wenger's team battled well in weather that frustrated their natural game.

"It was very hard because it was difficult for us with the weather. The other team also played well but the pitch was not very good.

"It was very cold, even more so in the second half with the rain and wind which made our game more difficult."