Almunia extends contract

"I am very happy," Almunia told the club's official website. "I have extended my contract and I hope to be here for a long, long time.

"I talked to my wife and I said I did not want to go back to Spain to play. Hopefully I can finish my career here."

The Spaniard dislodged German rival Jens Lehmann as Arsenal number one at the beginning of the season, and has since become a key component of the Gunners' push for honours at home and abroad.

The 30-year-old arrived from Celta Vigo in July 2004, but initially found himself mainly used in cup competitions after a series of unconvincing first-team displays.

Lehmann began this season as manager Arsene Wenger's first-choice goalkeeper, but a high-profile blunder on the opening day of the season against Fulham followed by another error away at Blackburn gave Almunia his chance.

Almunia has been virtually ever-present since the end of August, and has amassed 17 clean sheets in all competitions.

"Football can change your life in one second," he said.

"At the start of the season, I was not playing. But football changed my life again and now I am one of the happiest men around."