• Premier League

Lehmann confirms Arsenal discussions

ESPNsoccernet staff
March 14, 2011
Jens Lehmann could yet be in line to return to Arsenal © Getty Images
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Jens Lehmann says he has "jumped at the chance" to hold talks with Arsenal regarding a return to North London, and professional football.

Lehmann, 41, retired last summer but is currently in London to work on his coaching badges and has been targeted by his former employers, who have seen Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone ruled out by injuries.

Arsene Wenger's only fit senior goalkeeper at present is Manuel Almunia, the Spaniard who endured a very difficult relationship with Lehmann before the German departed to join Stuttgart in 2008.

Confirming that a shock return to Emirates Stadium could be a possibility, Lehmann told Bild: "Arsenal currently have a goalkeeping crisis and I jumped at the chance to help them."

Lehmann joined Arsenal in 2003 and his debut season saw the club win the Premier League title when going unbeaten - a feat unparalleled in the modern era.

He also won the FA Cup in 2005 and helped the club reach the Champions League final in 2006 when a last-minute penalty save from Juan Roman Riquelme saw the club past Villarreal.

However, Lehmann was dismissed in the defeat to Barcelona in the final and, as his form dipped, was later replaced by Almunia in Arsene Wenger's starting XI.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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