Lehmann warned over place

Wenger wants competition between goalkeepers

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 28th August 2007

lehmann jens

Lehmann: Place not guaranteed

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Arsene Wenger has told Jens Lehmann that he is not guaranteed to be his first-choice goalkeeper when he returns from injury.

Lehmann made costly mistakes in Arsenal's first two Premier League games of the season before injury ruled him out of 1-0 victory over Manchester City last Saturday.

Manuel Almunia performed solidly in Lehmann's place and is set to keep his place for the UEFA Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague.

Lehmann has been sent for a scan on his troublesome Achilles to determine how long he will be out for, but Wenger has warned the German that he cannot expect to just walk straight back into the side.

"He is never happy when he is injured and he is never happy when he is not playing," said Wenger.

"Whether he is still number one or not goes from game to game. I have the highest respect for Jens.

"I brought him here four years ago and made him our number one. Since then he has always been number one.

"But saying Jens will be first choice when he gets back from injury is asking me to say that no matter how well Almunia plays, he will always be dropped for Jens.

"You can never say that to a player because it means his performance is not important."

Selection problem

Wenger is keen for Almunia to show what he can do and keep the pressure on Lehmann.

He explained: "Of course at the start of the season we lost number one but now the number two has come in we have to give him a chance.

"But you make choices like this when everyone is fit. Almunia is good enough to give me a selection problem."