Jens Lehmann concedes two playing for Arsenal reserves

Ken Gaunt,Pa
Tuesday 29 March 2011 11:37 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann returned to action for Arsenal for the first time in almost three years with a run-out for the reserves today in their 2-1 defeat at Wigan.

Whether the 41-year-old will step up to the senior team on Saturday against Blackburn at the Emirates Stadium remains to be seen.

Lehmann, however, got a full 90 minutes under his belt at Robin Park this afternoon.

The former Germany international came out of retirement to help ease the Gunners' goalkeeping crisis after injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski left Manuel Almunia as the only fit senior keeper.

Almunia, 33, may have only just found himself back in the first-team picture, but the Spaniard is already under the spotlight once again after a poor performance in the 2-2 draw at West Brom on March 19.

Lehmann's last appearance for the Gunners came against Everton on May 4, 2008 ahead of a move to Stuttgart.

In front of goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton, he was beaten in the 18th minute today when Jordan Robinson got on the end of a free-kick by Daniel Redmond, only to be ruled offside.

Arsenal's young side were reduced to 10 men when skipper Ignasi Miguel was sent off before Jordan Rugg's shot got the better of Lehmann but came back off the post.

Lehmann was left red-faced a minute before half-time when he miscued a kick from a back-pass, but the ball trickled past the post.

He came off second best in the 52nd minute, though, when Callum McManaman put the home side ahead, showing a cool head to outsmart his more experienced opponent.

Lehmann got his bearings wrong on the hour and Jonathan Breeze smashed in a shot past the goalkeeper only to see it blocked.

Joe Holt added a second in the 83rd minute from close range before Rhys Murphy pulled one back from the penalty spot on the stroke of full-time.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in