A good day for Jens Lehmann
14 comments April 7th, 2006
His Arsenal contract extension is described by Arsene as “done”, whilst Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann yesterday named him as the number 1 goalkeeper for the World Cup.
For Jens, it’s great news on both fronts. For Arsenal, he’s been absolutely superb this season, and it seems remarkable to think that just over a year ago he was dropped in favour of Manuel Almunia. This Lehmann seems markedly different, with levels of concentration we have never seen from the 36 year old before. In my humble opinion, he has been the best goalkeeper in England this season.
Being the goalkeeper of a nation hosting the World Cup is also a major honour, especially when you’ve ousted Oliver Kahn, who won the Golden Ball for the best player at the last World Cup. Victory is made all the sweeter by the fact that Kahn is, for want of a better word, a knob.
Looking ahead to Man U on Sunday, and there is no new injury news. With our fixture schedule becoming ever more congested, rotation will begin sooner rather than later. However, not just yet. As Arsene puts it, “When will I rotate? Who will I rotate? I don’t know. I’m not inclined to change too much for Sunday.” Campbell’s future, however, looks a little more secure, with Arsene insisting that he “will not buy a centre back”.
Sol Campbell may have to wait for Wednesday’s match away to Portsmouth to make his arguably undeserved return to the first team. One man who will come back into contention is Emmanuel Adebayor, with Arsene keen on deploying a 4-4-2.
So it looks like we’re going for it. Should be exciting, if anything.
