Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is delighted with the form this season of his outright No1 Manuel Almunia.

Wenger said: "Almunia doesn't get the credit he deserves but it's only a matter of time if he keeps performing like this. I rate him as highly as Van der Sar and Petr Cech because as a goalkeeper you cannot do much more than keep a clean sheet."

The Emirates chief admits life is certainly much calmer since Almunia succeeded the highly-strung Jens Lehmann as Arsenal's No 1.

Wenger said: "Manuel speaks more than he used to but he is certainly quieter than Lehmann.

"Let's just say Lehmann was never afraid to speak his mind. He was an interesting character who was respected in the dressing room. But he was not diplomatic. Almunia is much calmer and not as unpredictable.

"Like David Seaman, he is a different character. But all that matters with a keeper is the quality of your performance and the number of goals you concede."

Almunia has had to battle to establish himself after signing from Celta Vigo for £1.5million five years ago.

Wenger said: "He wasn't an obvious target because, at the time we signed him, he was on loan at Albacete. But we have a scout in Spain who told us about this interesting goalkeeper.

"He was not ready when he came here but he worked very hard to prove himself. He even cut short his honeymoon to join us, which proved his commitment. He is technically sound, very strong physically and has great potential.

"He also learned a lot working with Lehmann. Jens definitely toughened him up!"