Gunners sign Lehmann

The Gunners have been scouring the market all summer to find a goalkeeper capable of filling the void left by the departure of David Seaman.

A whole host of names had been put forward, but reports emerged on Monday saying Gunners chief Arsene Wenger had set his sights on the Borussia Dortmund ace.

The German said on his website that only a medical stood between him and a move to Highbury and Wenger has confirmed the test went well.

The Frenchman said: "Jens Lehmann is a great signing for Arsenal football club. He is a very experienced goalkeeper who has proved his quality playing in the Bundesliga, in the Champions League and also for his country.

"Jens will greatly improve the strength of our squad and I am very happy that we have signed a player of his ability.

"Today's medical was positive so that means he can join us [in Austria] on Sunday. I am pleased because he is used to playing under big pressure, he is intelligent and we got him at the right price.

"If you look at the side we had out against Austria Vienna, add the French players who are not back yet and then Lehmann, we are competitive again."

Lehmann will now be handed the chance to take the number one jersey at Highbury, with Stuart Taylor and Rami Shaaban rivalling the German for a place between the posts.

The German said: "I am delighted to be joining Arsenal. They are one of Europe's great clubs and they have many fantastic players.

"Hopefully I will impress the club and its supporters and I'm also very much looking forward to playing in the English Premier League."