Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is relishing the club's Champions League quarter-final tie with Barclays Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Tonight, Almunia faces a Liverpool team against whom he has an exemplary record and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez needs no reminding that his Spanish compatriot has met his team four times and is yet to finish on the losing side.
Benitez has spent the last few days plotting the downfall of Arsenal but Liverpool's Champions League-winning manager has learned that there are some problems for which you simply cannot legislate. Almunia, for instance.
The Liverpool coach knows that an impressive goalkeeping performance can reduce the best-laid plans to tatters - and Almunia has saved some of his finest displays for the Merseysiders.
His three wins and a draw against Liverpool include victories at Anfield last season in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.
"We invariably score at Anfield so that is a good sign for the second leg," he said.
Indeed, Benitez does not seem to have much luck at all when Almunia is around.
"My first club was Osasuna and Rafa was the coach back in 1996," recalled the Arsenal goalkeeper. "Although I started in the 'B' team he coached me quite a lot. It was not a lucky time for him. There was no indication then that he would be so successful because the team was nearly relegated and he got sacked."
"I love playing Liverpool," he said. "I'm always happy to play against them, especially at Anfield."
Almunia has kept six clean sheets in seven Champions League appearances this season and hopes to further improve that record when Arsenal bid for a place in the semi-finals before a capacity crowd at Emirates Stadium tonight.
Until this season, he was regarded as Lehmann's understudy.
"I was very patient, waiting for my chance," he said.
"Waiting at Arsenal is easier than waiting at most other clubs. The training ground, the facilities, the way they look after you - it makes working a pleasure.
"But at a club like this, where competition for places is so strong, you have to learn to look after yourself. I have learned and I am more mature because of it. I have improved as a goalkeeper and I'm now confident of my position in the team.
"I have also learned the secret of playing for a big club like Arsenal. It is anticipation, making the right decision at the right moment."
Indifferent League form has probably cost them the title, leaving the Champions League a more realistic target. "If one or two players slip below their best maybe it's okay but if four or five are down then you have a problem," he said. "Cesc Fabregas played one of the best games I've seen from him in Milan but it's difficult to maintain that kind of level.
"Everyone was 100 per cent that night in Milan and if we repeat it we can win the Champions League this season. At our best we're good enough. The most important thing at the moment is not to concede a goal tonight. We'll score at Anfield. We always do."
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