Lehmann no longer guaranteed number one

Jens Lehmann's blunderous start to the season has not gone unnoticed by Arsène Wenger - and the Arsenal manager has now said that the German is no longer automatic first choice goalkeeper when he returns from injury.

Wenger has a track record of using 'injury' as an excuse for not picking players when it is clear he is unhappy with them. Ashley Cole and Thierry Henry hardly played towards the end of their Arsenal careers, ostensibly because they were 'injured'.

In light of this, the Times are reporting that Lehmann is seeking to orchestrate a move away from Arsenal to a club where he will be guaranteed first choice football.

"I don't know how long Lehmann will be out," Wenger confirmed. "He's never happy when he's injured and he's never happy when he's not playing."

When asked if he could guarantee Lehmann would be Arsenal number one this season, Wenger said: "You're asking me to say something that I can never say."

"You asked me to give a message to Almunia that, no matter how he plays after a few games, he will be automatically out. You can never say that; that means his performance is not important.

"We are in a competitive world. Of course, at the start of the season, you have a number one and then a number two comes in and you have to give him a chance. I think Almunia is good enough to give me a problem. You go from game to game and there is no guarantee for anybody."

"I have the highest respect for Jens. I bought him here at 33 and made him number one, and since he has always been number one. When he is fit I have to assess the situation. There is no guarantee for anybody. We are in a competitive world."

User Comments

oze_gooner

Posted on 31 Aug, 2007 at 05:39 AM - Reply

We just need someone who is younger & willing to give it all

sandy

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 11:38 PM - Reply

Keep Jens #1!

sandy

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 11:37 PM - Reply

Keep Jens #1! To bench him for the rest of the season because of an injury will take away his PASSION (not good for Jens) or for Arsenal fans

Austin is a gooner 4 life

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 05:00 PM - Reply

i respect mad jens a lot, i mean he is the epitome of experience and can make a difference in games with dazzling and surprising performances (ask riquelme) not to forget his ability to distribute balls quickly to start fluent attacks. That said he can also make negative difference in games ask fulham and dunn and no disrespect his mistakes cost us at times as much as his attitude (5 yellow cards 4 a goalkeeper com'n) Almunia and fabianski are good competitors esp the former so jens should put up or shut up cos we cant play him if almunia is performing better

maya

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 02:38 PM - Reply

Lehmann past his best.

deroh

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 03:54 AM - Reply

wenger is right on this one.its time the spaniard stepped in as at thew premiership level-jens mistakes are unacceptable,who knows the two points we lost could be decisive bet us and the title

Kaz

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 01:01 AM - Reply

Jen is a far better keeper than what we've seen this year. He's got something keeping his head from being in the game.

Kaz

Posted on 30 Aug, 2007 at 01:00 AM - Reply

Jen is a far better keeper than what we've seen this year. He's got something keeping his head from being in the game.

kilanko adedeji

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 05:30 PM - Reply

i can never blame arsene wenger for not giving any comment as to if jen will still be the first choice. jen has been a wonderful keeper at arsenal and i think his performance this has not been so pleasing to wenger. wenger decide not say yes or no so that his comment will not affect other keepers performance and form. almunia is ready for the jersey so also is lukas

Rhiannon

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 03:20 PM - Reply

I Want Jens to hurry back and play well again

foxxy

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 02:50 PM - Reply

good

Hornug

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 01:05 PM - Reply

exactly.

Dave

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 11:14 AM - Reply

who? gilberto ? bullshit!!

alex aku

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 10:30 AM - Reply

lehmann should be allow to rest, he is not in his best form,

dickson dike

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 10:10 AM - Reply

where is the other goalkeeper arsenal bought?

Mungoma

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 08:42 AM - Reply

I think Wenger is determined to clear out all the old men. Gilberto should now be Weary as well. I see the only gallas seems to have a secure place among the Oldees

Ad

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 06:55 AM - Reply

Erm I'll give you that Ashley Cole perhaps was deliberately left out of the squad to stop bad feeling in the dressing room. But Henry tore his groin and stomach muscles and was out for months befopre he left. And even then he actually left the club still recovering and reportedly only just passed his medical at Barcelona. Any other player would have been rejected in his condition but because it was him he was allowed to join whilst unfit.
Admittedly though upon Lehmann's 2 goal gaffs for us at the start of the season. Then his ropey international game against England I think his injury may be exaggerated somewhat to deliberately give Almunia a run out. Personally i think Almunia was better in pre season than Lehmann and the little I saw of Fabianski was also somewhat disappointing. I think we need Fabianski as our reserve, Lehmann should go and another number 1 be instated and him and Almunia can battle it out between them.

Don

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 03:35 AM - Reply

If Jens does indeed leave for other club, I would kinda missed him a bit. He made me laugh out loud a few times, but there's no doubt he made me angry too

zakar

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 03:09 AM - Reply

jens has to give for some one who can didt the job for we supporters thanks mr.wenger we are always looking for arsenal progress.

zakar

Posted on 29 Aug, 2007 at 03:04 AM - Reply

we are supporting all what wenger said about them jens he has to give way to some since he cant depend his position.

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