Lehmann set for action – Jack the lad’s a proper Gooner

by CARL ELDRIDGE It looks increasingly likely that Jens Lehmann will make his second Arsenal debut against Wigan in the reserves next Tuesday. AW signed the German mentalist to give us back up given the injuries to Chesney and Fabianski and he was on the bench at West Brom on Saturday.

AW has since gone on to admit the Invincible isn’t fit enough to play so he will be desperate to get him game time in the two weeks we have before the Gunners are back in action against Blackburn Rovers at THOF2 on April 2. He said: “He looks like a guy who’s not been involved for a long time but has kept his body fit. He has the basic physical fitness but he lacks a little bit of decision-making and practice in goal. Would I consider starting him? I’m not going to get into that now, we now have two weeks.”

Apart from training and the possibility of practice games or a behind-closed-doors friendly, the next chance for Lehmann to play is in the North West against the Latics second string. Given the woeful decision making of MA at the Hawthorns it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility that he starts in goal as No.1 against Rovers but, realistically, AW will stick with Almunia in my opinion.

Meanwhile, a gripe. Those of us who travelled and suffered the first half of inept football against the Baggies – and indeed the thousands who caught the game on internet feeds etc – would have liked the players to at least acknowledge our existence after the game with a brief moment of recognition perhaps in the age old fashion of applause.

By the time I left the ground only the increasingly magnificent Jack Wilshere was the only one to do so. Perhaps more did, I don’t know. I do know that it is rarely the case – and it should be compulsory. I’ll forgive Denilson having to applaud after his first half. Talking of Jack, he has – if at all possible – gone up in my estimation after I saw this yarn in yesterday’s Sunday Mirror. 

The Premier League title? Lots of twist and turns to come yet my fellow Arsenalista - keep the faith. If all else fails, at least we are Arsenal.

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Eldo71

Arsenal fan for 40 years. Schoolboys, North Bank, Clock End then East Upper. Then Emirates. AFC dream team: Wilson, Dixon, Sansom, Adams, Pates, Brady, Williams, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry, Wright. Subs: Seaman, Eldridge, Wilshere, RVP, Ball. Manager: Arsene Chapman.

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