BERLIN, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
is confident he will return for Arsenal when he recovers from
injury because he says Manuel Almunia has failed to prove he is
ready to displace him. Almunia has said he expects to remain Arsene
Wenger's first choice after taking over from Lehmann, who has been
out since injuring his elbow in Germany's 2-1 win over England in a
friendly at Wembley on Aug. 22.
'Almunia has also said a lot in the past,' said Lehmann in an
interview to be published in Der Spiegel magazine on Monday. 'He
hasn't won anything for us yet. 'Once he even said he was one of
the best in Europe. But his performances have not made me have any
serious concerns.'
Lehmann, 37, made two blunders in three matches at the start of the
season which cost Arsenal goals. Since then Spaniard Almunia, 30,
has let in two goals in eight matches, and none in his last
four.
Almunia, who joined the Londoners in July 2004, had only made 42
starts for Arsenal before this season but believes he has done
enough in Lehmann's absence to prove he should take over as first
choice.
Lehmann is expected to be fit for Germany's Euro 2008 qualifier
against Ireland in Dublin next Saturday.
