Lehmann happy to help
Jens Lehmann is happy to answer Arsenal's SOS call and hopes he can help the club to the Premier League title.
By Chris Burton
Last Updated: 15/03/11 10:30am
Jens Lehmann is happy to answer Arsenal's SOS call and hopes he can help the club land the Premier League title.
Arsene Wenger has turned to his former goalkeeper after suffering an injury crisis between the sticks.
With Lukasz Fabianski, Wojciech Szczesny and Vito Mannone all sidelined, Manuel Almunia is the Gunners' only fit senior shot-stopper.
With the club still in the running for the top flight crown this season, Wenger has moved quickly to address that dilemma.
He has lured ex-Germany international Lehmann out of retirement at the age of 41, nine months after he hung up his gloves with Stuttgart.
The veteran keeper returns to Emirates Stadium just short of three years after calling time on a five-year stint with the north London outfit.
He enjoyed considerable success during that first spell at the club and Lehmann admits he is keen to play a part in helping Arsenal land more major silverware this term.
Challenge
"I know this Arsenal team and I am sure we can go on and win the title. If I can play a part in that, so much the better," he said.
"It never crossed my mind that I might end up saving it [Arsenal's keeper crisis]. But when they asked me, I was more than happy to oblige.
"It was just over the last few days that they contacted me to see if I could help out for the rest of the season and I agreed straight away."
Lehmann, who is currently taking his coaching badges in England, did not see eye-to-eye with rival Almunia towards the end of his first stint with the Gunners, but he insists those differences have been put to one side.
On the pair's relationship, he said: "That was then, but this is different.
"I am ready for the challenge, but I know my main job will be helping out and providing cover.
"I have a lot of experience and I am happy to pass it on to Almunia or whoever else is in goal."
