Lehmann vows to fight for his place

14 April 2012

Jens Lehmann insisted today he will not be forced out of Arsenal.

The German goalkeeper was back in the line-up for the 2-1 FA Cup third-round win over Stoke at the weekend but manager Arsene Wenger has said Spaniard Manuel Almunia is his first choice for the Premiership.

Lehmann, who was dropped following the defeat at Liverpool in late November, said: "I came here for three years and there is no reason for me to go. I can win three trophies here. I am convinced that I will play soon.

"I did not feel under pressure against Stoke. I would have appreciated to feel more pressure because I felt the Cup match was just a consolation game for me. Normally I feel more tense before a game.

"Every mistake I have made has been highlighted. It is up to the boss to judge. At Arsenal, every goal is the mistake of the goalkeeper. Do I doubt myself after what has happened? What should I doubt? I came here and I became a champion and was unbeaten.

"Of course I was surprised to be dropped. I am sorry but what have I done? But I am confident I will play soon. I was blamed for a lot of of goals but I have never made a typical goalkeeping mistake. I have lost the ball outside the area sometimes but that is because of my risky game. But I won't change that.

"I repeat - I intend to stay here for the whole length of my contract."

Meanwhile, Arsenal face an anxious 48 hours to discover if Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva will play again this season.

The midfielder, who has not played since September because of a back injury, arrived back in England last night after a period of recuperation in his homeland.

Doctors in Brazil say he could be back in full training in the next fortnight but Arsenal will have their own scans on the injury this evening and Silva will see a specialist for a definitive verdict.

Silva wants to be ready for the resumption of the Champions League when it reaches its knock-out stage at the end of next month. Arsenal take on Bayern Munich and he intends to be ready for the match in Germany on 22 February.

Wenger will play Silva as soon as the player is given the all-clear. But there is little indication when another Brazilian, Edu, will be seen in first-team action again.

Contract talks with the player have stalled. Since breaking into the Brazilian national team, Edu feels he should be in the same pay level as Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira, who earn in excess of £60,000 a week. But Arsenal are sticking to their original offer of a five-year deal worth around £30,000 a week.

Spanish sides Valencia and Barcelona are reported to be keen on the midfielder, who may well decide to allow his contract to run out in June and qualify for a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Wenger, however, wants commitment from Edu to Arsenal before he will consider him for first-team duty.

Edu has been back in full training for three weeks after breaking a toe against Everton in November but Wenger only wants to make use of players who are focused on a future at Arsenal.

MORE ABOUT

Arsenal

Liverpool FC

Manuel Almunia

Stoke City

Lehmann vows to fight for his place

Read More