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Angry Jens: I could have saved Arsenal
Simon Johnson, Football Correspondent10 Apr 2008
Jens Lehmann today launched a furious attack on Arsene Wenger and claimed he could have prevented Arsenal from going out of the Champions League.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper spoke of his anger at being consigned to the bench for Tuesday's defeat by Liverpool and blamed the Arsenal manager for the result.
Lehmann said: "For me personally it is a tragedy, particularly since I did not have a chance to prevent it. I have had such thoughts [about being able to prevent defeats] ever since the coach took me out of the team following the 0-0 draw against Milan.
"I told [Wenger] he needed experienced players in his team for such important games. He did not share my view and I do not think he has been successful - the results speak against his choices.
"I stayed here to win the Champions League and I saw good chances to play, but I have not had these [chances] and that makes me very angry."
Lehmann turned down the chance to move to Borussia Dortmund during the winter break and pledged he would fight to regain his place in the Arsenal team.
He also castigated Spaniard Manuel Almunia, his replacement, in an interview with German magazine Kicker.
He added: "To be sitting on the bench behind somebody who only started to play when he was 30 is not funny. I am very angry.
"If the coach had spoken to me before the start of the season then I would have been able to decide if I wanted to sit on the bench. He has a different opinion and I don't really believe he can be happy with it."
Reader views (2)
Oh well. Bye bye Jens. I'm sure there's a job for you in the German League 2 or whatever it is called!
- Pazza, Lunnon N1 UK, 11/04/2008 14:29
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I have always had my doubts about Almunia and I do not understand Wengers' obsession with him - he is not good enough. That said I think Arsenal as a whole lack a spine which can get them through tough games.
I do not think it is acceptable for a Captain to sit in the middle of the field and sulk after the conclusion of a game and action should of been taken.
It is simply not good enough to finish another season with nothing and some serious action needs to be taken in the summer to address these and other failings.
- Alastair Adams, Worcester Park, Surrey, 10/04/2008 22:03
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