We got what we deserved says Lehmann
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann believes Arsenal got what they deserved at
the Emirates Stadium tonight after coming from behind to beat
Hamburg.
Arsenals Champions League future was anything but certain when they
fell behind to Rafael van der Vaarts early stunner, but Robin van
Persie levelled after the break.
Emmanuel Eboues first European goal and second for the club put
Arsenal ahead before Julio Baptista came off the bench to net his
first Gunners goal to secure a 3-1 win.
"It was very close," Lehmann said on ITV4.
"Unfortunately it happens now to us that we always concede and have
to fight against 10 men defending. We worked hard and weve got what
we deserved because sometimes you need to have that little bit of
luck and we had that today. At the end it was a vital win for
us."
One sour note was a yellow card for captain Thierry Henry, who will
miss the final Group G game in Porto, in which Arsenal need to
avoid defeat to guarantee qualification.
"Its sad but you have to cope with everything," Lehmann
added.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hailed his sides attitude after going
behind. "They scored a great goal and this time we couldnt do a lot
about it," he said.
"After that I feel weve shown great character, great spirit. Very
unfortunately, (we were) 1-0 down at half-time but we hit the bar,
we made a few changes and it worked out. Overall it was a great
team performance."
Wenger acknowledged Henrys booking was a blow but believes his side
will cope without their talismanic skipper when they travel to
Portugal.
"Thats unfortunate but we know that it will be a good game for us
and Im confident we can do it," he added.
"He was frustrated tonight because his shirt was held a lot. In the
box a lot happened. Its difficult for the referee - he couldnt
always see it. Because it was a lot of unfair play against him, he
got a little bit frustrated."
Wenger says Arsenal will do it without Henry
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry ruled himself out of the decisive
Group G clash with Porto with a third Champions League booking but
manager Arsene Wenger insisted after a 3-1 win over Hamburg: We
will do it without him.
Henry completed a hat-trick of cautions - he was booked for a
disputed handball when he thought he had scored against CSKA Moscow
last month and again in the opening minute of the Emirates Stadium
return against the Russians - following a second half shove in the
back on Hamburg defender Joris Mathijsen.
Henry then appeared to have words with Danish referee Claus Bo
Larsen who brandished the yellow card.
Now the Gunners need just a draw in Oporto to go through to the
knockout stage with the 2004 Champions League winners - and consign
CSKA Moscow to the UEFA Cup despite failing to beat them in two
meetings.
Wenger, who saw his team come back with two goals in the last seven
minutes by full-back Emmanuel Eboue and Brazilian substitute Julio
Baptista, said: I could see Thierry was frustrated. He was held
back by his shirt pulled on quite a few occasions.
Of course it was a blow. We wanted to go to Portugal with Thierry,
but now we will go and do it without him.
Wenger added: Im sure both teams will fight for a win but if it is
a draw then neither need be disappointed.
The Arsenal boss could well look to £12million teenager Theo
Walcott for inspiration in Portugal.
Walcott, 17, came on as 75th-minute substitute for Freddie
Ljungberg and set up decisive goals in the last seven minutes for
Eboue and Baptista after Robin van Persies clinical 52nd minute
finish wiped out a stunning opener in just three minutes by
Hamburgs Holland hero Rafael van der Vaart.
Wenger, who has given Walcott just one Premiership start, said: He
will play more and more now because we have so many games. When he
came on against Hamburg he gave an injection of power and pace -
especially after he moved from the left to the right.
Wenger added: It was a convincing comeback against a good side. It
will convince the players we can come back from a goal down to win
here. The team refused to accept defeat and never, at any time felt
sorry for themselves after going behind and then hitting the bar
and post. Hamburg are better than their league position in Germany
(17th) - because my scouts have seen them give some impressive
performances. We were a little bit sideways in the first half but
after half-time we were more direct. In these matches the last 10
or 15 minutes and can make a big difference and we mastered Hamburg
physically in the end. I was always confident about that.
Thomas Doll, Hamburgs coach admitted: We knew about Walcott. We
knew when he came on he would be very fast. Our tactics worked in
the first half but Arsenal kept up the pressure and it was too much
for us. We were punished in the end but they deserved their
victory.
