Arsenal goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia visited the Phoenix Cinema, High Road, East Finchley for a Q & A session before its screening of the feature film and one of Manuel's favourite reads, 'The Boy in Striped Pyjamas.'

The visit formed part of the Premier League's Places for Players initiative, which aims to highlight the continued and increasing commitment the 20 Barclays Premier League clubs have to their local communities. Manuel showed his support for Arsenal's Premier League Reading Stars programme, one of the many Arsenal in the Community education projects.

Almunia, who has a keen interest in World War II history, answered questions from the audience about his passion for reading, his interest in World War II including details of his trips to the Imperial War Museum and his visit to the Normandy beaches.

As part of the evening, hosted by writer and broadcaster, Tom Watt, he also drew a seat number at random for a lucky winner to take home the keeper's signed jersey. It was won by a teacher from Barnfield Primary, Edgeware, who asked him to dedicate it to her Year Five class.

Amongst the audience at Sunday's screening were special guests of Arsenal from Arsenal in the Community's diverse range of initiatives including the Arsenal Double Club and participants from the Reading Stars initiative.

Another special guest included 15 year-old Kyle Richards of Edgware, a guest of Arsenal's Charity of the Season, Teenage Cancer Trust. Kyle was diagnosed and treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma last year at the TCT ward at University Hospital London and is fast approaching a year since his treatment finished.

Reading Stars is an educational project in partnership with the Football Foundation, the National Literacy Trust, the Premier League and the Arts Council England, which uses the motivational power of football to encourage families to enjoy reading together.

Each of the 20 Premier League teams nominate a 'Reading Champion' to recommend his favourite book. Each club then adopts up to three public libraries who then host a reading club based on the book choices of all 20 Premier League Reading Champions.

Manuel Almunia said: "I was delighted to be invited by the Phoenix Cinema to introduce a screening of The Boy in Striped Pyjamas, one of my favourite books. I didn't know it had been made into a film before the invitation and I hope that this may encourage more young people and families to read this book."

Cassie Birtwistle of Phoenix Cinema added: "When we learnt that The Boy in Striped Pyjamas was Manuel's favourite childhood book, we didn't hesitate to extend an invitation to the Arsenal number one and we're delighted he accepted. Phoenix Cinema is an independent cinema run by a charitable trust, so we're constantly looking at innovative ways to make the cinema experience as enjoyable and as different as possible for our guests. We hope Manuel's appearance may encourage young people to visit us with families and come back to see us again!"

To find out more about Phoenix Cinema visit: www.phoenixcinema.co.uk or call the box office on: 020 8444 6789

To find out more about Arsenal in the Community visit: www.arsenal.com/community