Lehmann: I will miss Arsenal fans

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
04 May	1:30 PM	P	Everton (H)	1	0	Win

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted that he will miss the goodbye between himself and Arsenal fans during the final home game of the season.

At full time captain William Gallas convinced the former Dortmund stopper to make his own personal farewell. He then joined the rest of the side in a more general thank you to the fans.

The fans paid tribute to the Invincibles keeper by singing his name the loudest.

Lehmann said: "I had one or two tears in my eyes. It was a great farewell for me. This farewell will always stay in my heart.

"The boss told me before that he planned to get me on. It was a very warm welcome on the pitch and I was very fortunate because the team didn't let me down before, just in case it had been 3-0 or 2-0 for Everton, it would have been a different reception.

"It was the right decision from the start to the end, to come here. Not only in terms of football but as well for my family. My children now are talking, are speaking better English than German, and they don't want to go back.

"My wife and myself, we learnt the language quite well and we learnt about another way of life. A very respectful, very kind way and that's a little bit different to Germany. There are a lot of similarities between English and German people but there are some differences as well.

"As for the football I was part of a team which was playing probably the most attractive game. It was really good.

"In the first two years we won something, unfortunately in the third year we were very close to winning the Champions League, but failed in the end.

"My biggest memory was probably the Real Madrid game at home, when we played 0-0. Then of course the FA Cup Final and then there was the game we became champions at Tottenham.

"I was together with Sol Campbell we were the only players who felt disappointed in the dressing-room because we didn't know we were champions by this time. We had conceded a goal just at the end and it finished 2-2. That was a very, very emotional moment for me.

"But, I said before, there are more memories than only just playing, there is the reception of the supporters. The respectful kindness of the supporters."

User Comments

john quinn

Posted on 10 May, 2008 at 12:09 AM - Reply

thank you jens hope you do really well in the euro championship you have given us so many great times we all love you had tears in my eyes after that great reception you so rightly deserved god bless you and your family and thanks for all the great memories

cesc

Posted on 8 May, 2008 at 07:44 PM - Reply

thanks jens. you were special. you have more records than cliff. very well done.

Adjie Bergkamp Wonderland

Posted on 8 May, 2008 at 07:54 AM - Reply

Quite a character. Thanks Jens :>

dayo

Posted on 7 May, 2008 at 08:28 PM - Reply

bye jens we love you

Shubroto

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 09:54 PM - Reply

perhaps one of the very few keepers who always perform under pressure or on big occassions. You are the king Jens. All the best!

kisang

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 07:02 PM - Reply

We've not seen much of jens this season...but his great times in goal will always be missed.his presence at the club and his contribution cannot be overstated.

Mak Peck

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 05:15 PM - Reply

Jens is F++king legend....what more can I say? He should be kept at the club....as an aggression coach!
WE LOVE YOU , YOU BIG GERMAN MAD MAN!

Dan

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 01:39 PM - Reply

Good riddance to bad rubbish. The most over-rated keeper in Arsenal history. He cost us more points than he saved, and the fact that his biggest fan Wenger lost patience with him by the end speaks volumes.

George

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 01:23 PM - Reply

Mad jens! we'll miss you and your antics. Ill never forget that save that got us to the final against villareal. On that day in my eyes you were god. i hope your future goes well.
Legend

nzutu

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 01:10 PM - Reply

thank you buddy

andrew lok

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 12:43 PM - Reply

thanks jens for all that you've done, esp. for being an invincible, for your brilliant fa cup 2005 final. for your 2006 champions league run.
you're a gooner for eternity.

Jefferson Tariah

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 12:33 PM - Reply

Lehmann deserves that ovation since he has done a lot for Arsenal. Goodluck Lehmann you are always no1 in our hearts.

andrew lok

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 11:08 AM - Reply

thanks jens for all that you've done, esp. for being an invincible, for your brilliant fa cup 2005 final. for your 2006 champions league run.
you're a gooner for eternity.

akubee

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 11:05 AM - Reply

Part of that special invincible team. Thanks for the memories. We will miss you and some of those mad decisions. Hope you find more success wherever you may decide to go.

bhavik vadher

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 10:56 AM - Reply

A true legend. A keeper I am proud of. Good luck Lehman. Thanks for all those memorable moments

Aditya

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 10:05 AM - Reply

Im gonna cry. Dont wanna see Mad Jens Leaving. You'll always have a special place in our hearts. Thanks and Good Luck for the future. Hope to see u in action for Germany!

Once a gunner; always a gunner

Jack Cornes

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 10:01 AM - Reply

Farewell Mr Lehmann, you have been a brilliant keeper for us, you have done so much for the club and you will always be remembred in arsenal history. I'll never forget the penalty save in the champions league semi-final. That showed the amount of courage Jens has in goal and that will cement his place in Arsenal folklore,good luck Jens. You are a true Gooner.

713gooner

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 07:48 AM - Reply

I did not know this was your last game for Arsenal.When I saw you streching,I thought you were going to replace Adebayor because Fabianski was at his best.You have played good at Arsenal,and I hope you will have a good time in your life.thank you and GOOD BYE>

chandraraj

Posted on 6 May, 2008 at 12:01 AM - Reply

A true legend. A keeper I am proud of. Good luck Lehman. Thanks for all those memorable moments.

Arsenal General

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 11:16 PM - Reply

You are the best keeper and have a great life ahead. Thanks for everything Jens!

Nikolas

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 08:30 PM - Reply

its sad to see a good player leave. but if it is his time, then there is no choice. i wish him the best of luck in his future and hope tht he leads a happy and peaceful life

Dubby

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 07:35 PM - Reply

Thanks for the memories. U were truly a great keeper. you'ld always be in the Gonner hearts.

Al

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 04:07 PM - Reply

We will miss you Mad Jens :( goodbye and goodluck.

momoko

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 03:51 PM - Reply

it is quite sad to see all old players leaving but this is what Arsene Wenger wants, he want young players so there is no room for old players, really sad. Although they are old but they are well experience comparing to the young.

georgesydaust

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 02:57 PM - Reply

legend.

Gooner Mac

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 02:54 PM - Reply

Farewell mad Jens.....folklore legennd

expploit Sunday Hakeem

Posted on 5 May, 2008 at 02:27 PM - Reply

A nice and wonderful keeper, he is so courageous when in action

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