The last day of Mad Jens’ reign? (Or not?)
Add comment January 4th, 2008
This lunchtime, Borussia Dortmund will held a press conference. Speculation is running rife that it will be used to introduce Arsenal madman Jens Lehmann as their latest signing.
It’s certainly on the cards. Dortmund’s current number 1, Roman Weidenfeller, is out for three months with a shoulder injury, whilst Jens’ unhappiness with his current situation is certainly no secret. A return to his former club will give him the chance to get first team football ahead of Euro 2008, aswell as a comfortable environment in his native Germany.
For Arsenal, the loss would not be great. Jens fell down the pecking order after mistakes against Fulham and Blackburn, and since then has made only one appearance for the club. In his absence, Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski have excelled, and behind them young Italian Vito Mannone was recently handed a long-term deal.
UPDATE: The Times claim Dortmund have baulked at his wage demands. Wait and see, I guess.
Whether or not Jens is on his way, Arsene insists he’s likely to be involved in the FA Cup tie with Burnley, alongside Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Eboue, and Kolo Toure. Emmanuel Adebayor has a small hamstring problem, but aside from that it’s likely to be a strong side against a physical Burnley team who will want to address their poor home form.
In some quotes from the matchday programme, Eduardo da Silva has outlined his plans for yet more goalscoring exploits. Although Arsene might be tempted to save him for the Carling Cup and Spurs, I’d throw him in against Burnley. He’s on a little goalscoring run and giving him the chance to keep that ticking over can only be a good thing.