In Lehman's terms, Arsenal can still win the title (1 Viewer)

[Coventry La La La]

Golden oldie Jens Lehmann made a dramatic return to help rekindle Arsenal’s title hopes.
Lehmann, 41, made his first Arsenal appearance in three years as a late replacement for the injured Manuel Almunia.​

And the German produced a typically eventful 90 minutes as the Gunners narrowed the gap on leaders Manchester United with their first win in six games.
Arsenal trail United by seven points, with a game in hand and are still to host the leaders at the Emirates.​

Lehmann, who might have been sent off for a challenge on DJ Campbell, will become Arsenal’s oldest player if he faces Liverpool next Sunday.​

He said: “I didn’t expect it to happen, but sometimes life is about surprises and that’s what happened to me. You never know what’s coming.​

“I love playing football and when you finish it becomes a little bit boring because you don’t have this adrenaline any more. That’s what came back after this game and I’m quite happy about that.​

“I don’t know if I should have been sent off. The rules sometimes change and I don’t know if I touched him.​

“I don’t care if I don’t play in the next game. If that was my final game ever I’m pleased because we won. Let’s just see what happens. I was pleased with my reception from the fans and they haven’t forgotten me.”​

Striker Robin Van Persie, who bagged Arsenal’s third, claims he would have gone in goal if Lehmann had been dismissed - there was no substitute keeper on the bench.

“I’m a good goalkeeper, I’m serious!“ said van Persie. “We needed this win, so we are very pleased. I believe we have turned the corner. We have seven games to play and it’s up to us now.”​

Wenger brought Lehmann out of retirement in Germany to solve his goalkeeping crisis and says he had no qualms about throwing him into action against Blackpool.​

“I wasn’t concerned because I replaced a good goalkeeper with a good goalkeeper,” said the Arsenal boss. “He did well. His decision making was spot on, but he didn’t have a lot to do in fairness because we controlled the game quite well.

“His commanding, his organising, his authority were all good and he was exceptionally good at set pieces. I don’t know if he will play in the next game and we will have to assess Almunia’s knee problem.”​

 

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[rob9872]

Wenger's biggest failing as a manager imo is the blindness he has shown over the past few seasons not to address the goalkeeping situation. Westy woudl have been great for them, I had always thought he woudl end up there.

According to reports, he did try to sign Reina last summer, but I'm not sure I believe it as he doesn't spend big cash and would have required it. This rule about one year contracts for 30 year olds is also a problem. Shame becasue he is a top coach and they play great football but let's himself down by being too stubborn.