http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749, taunts Arsenal’s Jens Lehmann appointment
Former Bayern Munich and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jens-Lehmann-c18297 after the latter signed for Arsenal aged 41.
Jens Lehmann recently announced his availability to club-football after retiring from the game two years ago. The German presently finds himself as an emergency shot-stopper for Arsene Wenger as the North Londoners look to keep their Premier League title
hopes on track after losing two of their first choice goalkeepers.
While http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-Almunia-c23386 still remains as the sole gloves-man, the Spaniard’s inconsistency in front of the sticks might lead to ‘Mad Jens’ making a start for the Gunners after the International break.
Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann, in their days playing for the German side, weren’t exactly the best of pals. However, despite after a couple of years off the playing field for both parties, it appears that the rivalry is still alive. Referring to Lehmann,
Kahn commented,
“We can see how difficult it is for many to find a fulfilling, meaningful job after leaving professional sports. From a sporting perspective, he can certainly help out for some games. The whole situation is further evidence of the goalkeeper malaise in England.”
However, while Kahn’s views regarding his old nemesis could be… well, his ‘own’ view, the former Bayern Munich man makes a valid point regarding the goalkeeping situation in England. While Arsenal have been noted for their inability to find an established
shot-stopper, Manchester United are also on the verge of a similar predicament. Their first choice glovesman, Edwin van der Sar looks to retire at the end of this season. The Dutchman has easily been one of their most consistent players since signing from
Fulham FC in 2004 and would be hard to replace.
Kahn further touched upon his former club which could also be interpreted as a reflection to the crisis that surrounds Jens Lehmann’s current club. He commented, “I think he failed because he (Coach Louis van Gaal) neglected that (silverware) - at the expense
of the attractiveness of the game. Titles are derived from a stable defence.”
Arsene Wenger finds himself surrounded by similar questions. While the Frenchman’s success seconds to none in the Arsenal history books, the North Londoners have gained a reputation of merely being pleasing to the eye, but not potential title winners.
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