Manuel Almunia cannot wait to get back to what he does best after joining West Ham United on an initial one-month loan from Arsenal.
The Spanish stopper is in line to make his Hammers debut in Saturday's npower Championship fixture at Crystal Palace after completing his switch to the Boleyn Ground on Friday.
Almunia, who will deputise for the injured Robert Green, has vast experience, having made 175 appearances for the Gunners and turned out in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final.
WATCH MANUEL ALMUNIA'S FIRST WEST HAM TV INTERVIEW
"Everything has been very quick and very fast, but in football you have to be ready for everything," the new No13 told West Ham TV just moments after completing his first training session at Chadwell Heath.
"I was not playing at Arsenal. I was hoping to leave the club and try to play for another team and have minutes. Most important is feeling well again and playing football and feeling the ball again, because I haven't played since last season and it's been a hard time for me recently.
"I'm happy that West Ham gave me the call and I'm very pleased to be here."
Following his arrival at Chadwell Heath, Almunia got straight down to work with goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson, working up a sweat on a warm and sunny day at the training ground.
The 34-year-old is determined to make up for lost time - he has not played a competitive match since Arsenal's goalless Premier League draw with Blackburn Rovers on 2 April - by boosting West Ham's bid for promotion.
"Most important on my first day is to be ready for my first league game, to meet the guys and the staff and see the training ground. I had a good session and I'll be ready for tomorrow.
"Every player is happy if he plays. In this case, I was frustrated at Arsenal, but always respected the decision of the coach. This is a new episode of my life and I hope everyone here is happy with my work."
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