Jens Moment Of Truth
Oct 12th, 2007 by 'holic
The headlines must be screaming at Jens Lehmann these days. The Mirror, among others, rather briefly and coldly transports the message from Kicker’s interview with Oliver Bierhoff. Roughly translated he is alleged to have told his goalkeeper to reclaim his Arsenal place or leave.
Lehmann himself believes he will be back for the clash with Bolton on Saturday week, if we are to believe the Mail. I’m not so sure, although the omens could be good for him.
The crazy German was dropped after well-publicised clangers against Fulham and Blackburn. Indeed the faux pas at Ewood Park emabled Rovers to become the only team this season to dent Arsenal’s one hundred percent record.
There are those who feel that the score may have been evened up, pointing the finger at Lehmann’s replacement, Manuel Almunia, for goals conceded at Tottenham, and against Sunderland at the weekend.
Arsene Wenger has been both lucky, and perhaps less fortunate, with goalkeepers during his tenure in London, N5. He inherited David Seaman, undoubtedly England’s number one in recent times. The giant Yorkshireman saw off the challenge of Alex Manninger, Stuart Taylor, and Richard Wright, but many felt he went on a season too long.
That memory haunts those who now fear for Jens. He has been immense, a fantastic goalkeeper for Arsenal and Germany, but is he in danger of staying on a year too long? There is only one way to find out and Wenger may choose to leave the answer for someone else to discover. Once bitten, twice shy, and all that.
We shall see. In the meantime good luck Jens. Whether your future is with Arsenal, Manchester City, or a German club. you have earned our gratitude and respect. Thank you.
One Response to “Jens Moment Of Truth”
A quite gracious boot to the seat of the pants; he’d appreciate that.