Lehmann Lashes Out At Rival

by Danny Wright

Eccentric Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has lashed out at rival Manuel Almunia, saying the Spaniard doesn't deserve to be the club's number one.

Lehmann started the season as first choice at the Emirates, but has since been replaced by Almunia for a series of costly errors in the Gunners Premiership games against Fulham and Blackburn respectively.

Manager Arsene Wenger says Lehmann has not been available due to an Achilles injury; however the 37-year-old played in Germany's 2-0 win over Wales at the weekend and should now be in the reckoning to face Tottenham on Saturday.

Wenger told the German he cannot expect to walk straight back into the side, however this hasn't knocked the confidence of Lehmann who believes he will reclaim his place in due course.

"I know I will be playing again at Arsenal. The coach will let me play," Lehmann told The People.

"He knows it, and I know it - it doesn't matter if I have another week out."

"I have read that Almunia said he deserves to be the No 1 but until now he has not won a single important game."

Almunia has kept two clean sheets in as many games since his promotion to the Arsenal side and will renew hostilities with Lehmann when he returns from international duty at the end of the week.

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