#1 Lehmann

[Freddy Adu]

Lehmann commits to Arsenal: I won't leave

Jens Lehmann insists he will stay at Arsenal, even though he has lost his status as first-choice keeper at the Emirates Stadium, reports the Daily Mail.

"I want to stay with Arsenal until the end of the season," Lehmann told a press conference here head of Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier against Cyprus in Hanover.

"I have a responsibility with regard to my family and for my children, even if I were not to regain my place.

"I cannot just leave like that before the season ends," he added.

The 38-year-old admitted he has received several offers from other clubs, without giving precise details.

But he again criticised Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has chosen Spaniard Manuel Almunia instead of the German since mid-August.

"I believe a manager must be honest with his players," said Lehmann.

"During the two talks I had with him about my contract extension he gave me no indication of what he was going to do," said Lehmann, who has been with Arsenal since 2003.

"I would like to be in the head of my manager, but I cannot answer your questions for him," he added.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal's Lehmann puts family ahead of Euro2008 hopes

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is putting his kids ahead of his own Euro2008 ambitions.

Lehmann, who won his 50th cap for Germany against Cyprus last night, said: "My goal is to play for Arsenal again. I don�t know if I can expect my children to change schools halfway through the year. I can't deny my family is more important than Euro 2008."

[Freddy Adu]

Hildebrand: Lehmann ready to quit Arsenal

Valencia goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand says Germany teammate Jens Lehmann is likely to leave Arsenal in January.

Hildebrand said: "Jens Lehmann is No1, but his situation at Arsenal isn't good. I think he'll change clubs in the winter."

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal's Lehmann denies giving German fans the finger

Want-away Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann denies giving German fans the finger during his country's 4-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Cyprus in Hanover:

"It's nonsense. I've never done anything like that."

[Freddy Adu]

Low praise for Arsenal keeper Lehmann

Germany coach Joachim Low was full of praise for Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann after Saturday's 4-0 defeat of Cyprus.

Low said: "His performance was not at all surprising to me because we know that Jens can find his concentration right when he needs it.

"He can also call up such a performance even when he has not played for a long time."

Whether his club situation will alter to allow him more match practice is not up for Low or 38-year-old Lehmann to decide, but the player certainly enjoyed being back on the field.

"I may only be sitting on the bench at Arsenal, but here I have realised how enjoyable it is to be playing," he told Germany's ZDF television after the game.

[Brasil]

Kahn tells rival Lehmann to quit Gunners


Written by: AFP

	Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, pictured 02 December 2007, has told his bitter German international rival Jens Lehmann to quit Arsenal if he wants to save his Euro 2008 dream.

BERLIN (AFP) - Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has told his bitter German international rival Jens Lehmann to quit Arsenal if he wants to save his Euro 2008 dream.

Lehmann, who was preferred to Kahn for last year's World Cup to further worsen the relationship between the two men, has not played for the English Premiership pacesetters since August with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger preferring Spain's Manuel Almunia.

Now Kahn has advised the 38-year-old Lehmann to leave London.

"Jens Lehmann's services to the national team have been impeccable, but you can't play in a European championship when you are not in the team," Kahn told DSF television.

"That's why it would be best for him to go and play where he will be in the team."

German league side Wolfsburg, currently 13th in the Bundesliga, said on Wednesday that they would be interested in signing Lehmann who has played 50 times for the German national side.

[Freddy Adu]

D-Day looms for Arsenal´s Lehmann


Written by: AFP

	Arsenal´s out-cast German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, seen here in action in November 2007, says he will make a decision on his future within the next week as he weighs up offers to leave the north London giants.

BERLIN (AFP) - Arsenal's out-cast German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says he will make a decision on his future within the next week as he weighs up offers to leave the north London giants.

The 38-year-old lost his place in Arsenal's first-team in August to Spaniard Manuel Almunia and has been courted by other club's including German league side VfL Wolfsburg, while he has been linked to Manchester City.

But in an interview with German daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, Lehmann says he wants to be involved in another Champions League final with Arsenal, even if he stays on the bench.

"My target is the Champions League final," he said having been sent off early in the 2006 final for a professional foul as his side went onto lose 2-1 to Barcelona.

"I have asked myself whether I will get the chance to play in another Champions League final.

"I would not leave this club just because I was on the bench.

"But if I am going to change clubs, I would have to make my decision by the beginning of January and I expect to do that in little over a week.

"That is just a week away and I am not actively looking for another club.

"I have had offers, but I can say that for the moment there is nothing concrete.

"I have spoken with nobody at Manchester City, perhaps Arsene Wenger spoke with someone from Wolfsburg and my lawyer has spoken with people from other teams, but I can't say which clubs.

"I have thought about going back to Berlin.

"I have spoken with Hertha's manager Dieter Hoeness, he was a nice guy, but I have told him from the start, my goal is to play in the Champions League final. This one game."

Despite reports in British newspaper The Guardian of a break-down in communication with Gunner's manager Arsene Wenger, Lehmann insists he pair have a good relationship - away from football.

"It doesn't bother me what they write," said Lehmann.

"If my coach takes things which happen in football personally, then that is his prerogative.

"If I am not happy to be a substitute, then I also can do nothing about it.

"I have no idea where they get these headlines from.

"I rarely read a newspaper and I have a good relationship with Wenger, away from football."

Lehmann has repeatedly said he feels Wenger "uses a different yardstick to evaluate Almunia", but says he has no idea if or when he can get back his place in the Arsenal first-team.

"It could be I spend the next four months on the bench or that I play next week, who knows?"

Germany head coach Joachim Loew has already said he expects Lehmann will be his first-choice goalkeeper for next June's Euro 2008 and the shot-stopper says that is his inspiration to train hard.

"I will play at the European Championships and that motivates me, I train every day.

"I believe I could still be second-choice at Arsenal and play at Euro 2008.

"There is no reason why I shouldn't feel confident playing for Germany."

With his contract set to expire in June at the end of the season, Lehmann says he will miss London, if he moves back to Germany, but says there is still a racist undercurrent in the UK.

"It has been fantastic here. For my wife, children and I it was most important we learned the language to really experience living abroad.

"We have very good English friends here and the football has been great, but there have been some negative aspects.

"There are still some prejudices, I believe.

"My son recently played in a school rugby match and a boy from the opposing team called him a "Bloody German Nazi".

"Of course, that upset him and I believe most journalists here are pleased if I do not play. Then have a bit of a binge about it.

"It might have something to do with the fact I am German, but it's not so bad.

"You have to take the rough with the smooth."

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal´s Wenger wants Lehmann to stay


Written by: AFP

	Arsene Wenger has admitted he would prefer if German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann (seen here warming up in October 2007) stayed with Arsenal.

LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger admitted Friday he would prefer if German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann stayed with Arsenal.

Lehmann, 38, has been out of Arsenal's first team since losing his place to Spaniard Manuel Almunia in September and has been courted by Bundesliga sides VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund.

As Germany's first-choice goalkeeper, Lehmann is under pressure to play regular football and the national side's head coach Joachim Loew has expressed his concern.

Wenger said: "I believe first he has to make his mind up: does he want to stay with us or not? I personally would prefer him to stay and he has to make his mind up first and then we will see together."

And the Arsenal manager said that he does not expect to boost his squad during the January transfer window despite losing both Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure when they join the Ivory Coast squad for the African Cup of Nations.

"We knew (about) that before the season started and we expected (Emmanuel) Adebayor to leave, so the good news is that Adebayor doesn't go. But we are not in the market at the moment," said Wenger.