Injured Lehmann out for two weeks

• zocoss

  24 Aug 07, 12:54

  
  
  Jens Lehmann has injured his Achilles tendon and will miss Saturday's home clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday. The goalkeeper aggravated a chronic injury during Germany's 2-1 win over England at Wembley on Wednesday, Wenger told a news conference.
  
  Wenger said: 'Jens is out and he will miss two weeks, I think. Maybe more. I don't know. He is going to see a specialist in Germany tomorrow. He had this injury before but it has got much worse.'
  
  Wenger said Lehmann joined an injury list that included captain Frenchman William Gallas, with a groin injury, and Brazilian midfielder Emmanuel Eboue, who has an ankle injury. Wenger said Spaniard Manuel Almunia would replace Lehmann on Saturday for a fixture in which he hopes Arsenal will end City's unbeaten start to the season.
  
  Looking ahead to City's visit to the Emirates Stadium, their first with former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson in charge, Wenger said it was too early to say if City would be able to maintain a challenge at the top. 'It can last but we will know more after 15 games, then we will have a better idea,' he said. 'I think we have to be patient a little bit.'
  
  He agreed that he was surprised at their confident start to the season and three straight wins. 'When you sign a lot of players, more than three or many more, then it usually takes time for them to click. But they have super-clicked and done so super-quickly as well.'
• thongs

  24 Aug 07, 16:58

  WOOOHOOO, CLEAN SHEETS FOR ARSENAL!!! lets cheer ppl =D
• turbo_drift

  25 Aug 07, 11:07

  
  
  *Almunia can handle the responsibility*
  
  Arsène Wenger believes Manuel Almunia is fully prepared to take over from Jens Lehmann for the next two weeks.
  
  The Spaniard is expected to play for Arsenal for next fortnight as the German keeper has hurt his Achilles.
  
  Wenger admitted he made a tough decision between the pair at the start of the season and is confident the 30-year-old can step up.
  
  “Almunia is equipped to take responsibility because he did very, very well when he played last year,” said the Frenchman. “It was very reassuring.
  
  “He is mature, he has all the attributes you need to be successful. It was a close decision about who was my No 1 keeper because of his performances last season.
  
  “But Jens had the advantage of experience of having played without disappointing. He had an immaculate pre-season.”