Lehmann hits out at Arsenal 'humiliation'
Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has warned coach Arsene Wenger his 'humiliation' at being left out of the Gunners side must end sooner rather than later.
The 37-year-old has now returned to full fitness following an elbow injury suffered on international duty with Germany towards the end of August.
However, the veteran was not involved at all, even in the squad, for the weekend's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton at Emirates Stadium - and it remains to be seen whether Lehmann will feature in tonight's Champions League game against Slavia Prague.
Lehmann has not played for Arsenal since the Premier League match at Blackburn on August 19, when his error proved costly in a 1-1 draw. In his absence, Manuel Almunia has proved a more than able deputy, keeping seven clean sheets, as the Gunners stormed to the top of the table, with Poland international Lukasz Fabianski warming the bench.
Wenger accepts the German - and also fellow senior player Gilberto, another currently out of the side - is not happy with the situation, but has praised their professional attitude in training as 'spot-on'.
Lehmann, however, has clearly indicated it is something he expects resolved in his favour soon.
Speaking in an interview with German pay-tv station Premiere, which will be aired during tonight's Champions League programme, Lehmann declared: 'It could be that at some point I feel like commenting on the whole issue, but right at the moment I just accept everything as part of the humiliation. You have to let it happen.
'But I think - and this is directed towards my dear coach - that you should not humiliate players for too long. I am an Arsenal player and I will not just fade away quietly.'
Lehmann insisted: 'I am convinced I will soon be playing again. Almunia hasn't shown that he can win us matches just yet. I have been through this situation once and know how the other keeper is situated mentally. I can't imagine he will handle this.
'Wenger has spoken of three world-class goalies. I guess I must be one of them. The others have proven their class by winning titles? I'm just thinking about it, and I can't recall any. But yet today they are considered world class.'
Germany coach Joachim Low has already suggested Lehmann must be back playing regular club football if he is to remain first choice for his country in the run up to next summer's European Championships.
Lehmann, who turns 38 next month, added: 'The disadvantage from the game against Ireland is that my coach now knows that he has a keeper who can produce a pretty good game out of nowhere and without match practice. He could not ask for a better keeper on the bench.'
