Clubs: CA Osasuna, FC Cartagena (loan), CE Sabadell FC, RC Celta de Vigo, SD Eibar (loan) RC Recreativo de Huelva (loan), Albacete Balompié (loan), Arsenal FC

UEFA honours
UEFA Champions League: runner-up 2006

• Born in Pamplona, Almunia started out with local club Osasuna but only played with the B team before moving – via a loan spell at Cartagena – to Sabadell.

• Joined Celta in 2001 but again did not play a top-flight game, going out on loan to three other teams – Eibar, Recreativo and Albacete – over the next three seasons.

• Made his top-flight debut for Recreativo before establishing his credentials in earnest at newly-promoted Albacete, with whom he made 24 Liga appearances in 2003/04, replacing former Argentinian international Carlos Roa.

• Signed by Arsenal in 2004 as back-up to Jens Lehmann, he made two appearances on the road to their 2005 FA Cup triumph and five – all in the group stage – en route to the 2006 UEFA Champions League final, where he came off the bench after 19 minutes following Lehmann's dismissal.

• Replaced the German as first choice in 2007/08, making 29 league appearances that campaign and 32, with Lehmann departed, the season after; was outstanding in the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester United FC at Old Trafford.

• Frequently captained the side the following season despite speculation over his future; lost his place in September 2010 after suffering an elbow injury, sustained while conceding a penalty (saved) against West Bromwich Albion FC (2-3).