The Best Ranking Gunner Goalies – Part 4
Article Continued from Part 3.
Jens Lehmann was the type of player who would always rush to conquer the threat in his box, and would more often than not succeed in getting hold of the ball.
Lehmann was known for using a lot of foul language and for that he recieved a number of yellow cards.
He has also been shown a number of red cards, though none have been as bizarre as the infamous 'peeing' one. The German keeper actually went at the back of the field to ‘pee’ during a game.
With all the fans and the millions of viewers tuning in from all over, this player went off the field in the middle of the match to ‘do his business’, while keeping an eye on the match so he could dash back if needed!
His swift dashes towards the ball would either result in him making heroic saves, and some times it would give the attacker a shot at an open goal.
Taking into account his craziness and obsession with the game, Lehmann was always a man of very colourful characteristics.
This player also had a very bright side to him, as he was an amazing shot stopper. He was brave and any good coach or football pundit will agree with the fact that that you need guts to succeed as a goalkeeper.
James “Jimmy” Ashcroft, 1900-08
The story of James Ashcroft starts in 1900, a time when the club was called Woolwich Arsenal.
The team spotted a 22-year-old talent, and hired the youngster to start as a goalkeeper.
Ashcroft was recruited from Gravesend United in the Southern Leagues. In his year at the Highaduary, which was the Gunners home at the time, he convinced the coaching staff that he was the right man for the job. They obliged by giving him more first team
appearances.
James Ashcroft was very impressive during his first year with the club. He kept 17 clean sheets in the next season and in the process, six of them were in consecutive games.
He set a record for the club which Alex Manninger came close to around 90 years later. Still in spite of this player’s amazing performances, the Gunners finished in fourth spot in the second division, and narrowly missed promotion into the first division.
Ashcroft was not content with his record, and kept on working to break new barriers and keep his fans at the edge of their seats.
In the 1903-04 season, this goalie kept another 20 clean sheets, and only let in 22 goals in 34 games.
This gave the team a real confidence boost and the inspiration to climb into the first division. He then set another record by making a 154 consecutive appearances for Arsenal.
His feats did not go unnoticed on the international level, as he was made a permanent part of the English national team in 1906.
He played three games for England, appeared in two FA cup semi-finals and his contributions in taking Arsenal to the first division, have confirmed his legacy as one of the best Gunners players of all time.
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