Almunia has become Arsenal's first-choice keeper this season

Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia has signed a long-term extension to his contract with the north London club.

The 30-year-old arrived from Celta Vigo in 2004 and has become first choice, pushing Jens Lehmann onto the bench.

The length of the deal has not been revealed but the Spaniard said he would like to end his career at Arsenal.

"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," he told Arsenal's website.

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"I am very happy, I have extended my contract and I hope to be here for a long, long time.

"Football can change your life in one second. 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."

The duration of the contract has not been made public because Arsenal have a club policy not to reveal information about player contracts.