Lehmann Contemplates Future With Arsenal

December 29, 2007

As many of us know, German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has been away from the limelight because of some poor performances and injuries this season. He has been trying to consider his future with Arsenal way ahead on the January transfer window. Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger, however, is determined to make Lehmann stay with the team.

Although the boss admittedly said that if an offer does come, they will sit together and talk about it, he encourages Lehmann to first think if he wants to stay with the team or not. Personally, he would rather prefer Lehmann to stay with Arsenal.

Manuel Almunia has always been the choice for the starting line-up this season, which has brought disappointment for Lehmann. He has lost his place and is well aware that he must first achieve his first-team football to be his country’s representative at Euro 2008 this summer. He admits that he is having a difficult future with Arsenal.

Lehmann signed with Arsenal July 25, 2003 as a substitute for David Seaman, and played every game as Arsenal went undefeated for the entire 2003–04 FA Premier League. They became the first English club to complete this achievement since 1880. Lehmann’s style of play often came out of his goal to interrupt passes occasionally leading to faults, similar to what happened during the game with local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

His contract at Arsenal was apt to expire summer of 2007. During the 06–07 season, there was much gossip that he would depart the club on a Bosman transfer. On April 26, 2007, however, he signed a year’s expansion on his contract until 2008.

Posted in General, Premiership