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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Dropped Lehmann hits out at Arsenal 'humiliation'
Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has warned coach Arsene Wenger his 'humiliation' at being left out of the Gunners side must end sooner rather than later.

The 37-year-old has now returned to full fitness following an elbow injury suffered on international duty with Germany towards the end of August.
However, the veteran was not involved at all, even in the squad, for the weekend's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton at Emirates Stadium - and it remains to be seen whether Lehmann will feature in tonight's Champions League game against Slavia Prague.
Lehmann has not played for Arsenal since the Premier League match at Blackburn on August 19, when his error proved costly in a 1-1 draw. In his absence, Manuel Almunia has proved a more than able deputy, keeping seven clean sheets, as the Gunners stormed to the top of the table, with Poland international Lukasz Fabianski warming the bench.
Wenger accepts the German - and also fellow senior player Gilberto, another currently out of the side - is not happy with the situation, but has praised their professional attitude in training as 'spot-on'.
Lehmann, however, has clearly indicated it is something he expects resolved in his favour soon.
Speaking in an interview with German pay-tv station Premiere, which will be aired during tonight's Champions League programme, Lehmann declared: 'It could be that at some point I feel like commenting on the whole issue, but right at the moment I just accept everything as part of the humiliation. You have to let it happen.
'But I think - and this is directed towards my dear coach - that you should not humiliate players for too long. I am an Arsenal player and I will not just fade away quietly.'
Lehmann insisted: 'I am convinced I will soon be playing again. Almunia hasn't shown that he can win us matches just yet. I have been through this situation once and know how the other keeper is situated mentally. I can't imagine he will handle this.
'Wenger has spoken of three world-class goalies. I guess I must be one of them. The others have proven their class by winning titles? I'm just thinking about it, and I can't recall any. But yet today they are considered world class.'
Germany coach Joachim Low has already suggested Lehmann must be back playing regular club football if he is to remain first choice for his country in the run up to next summer's European Championships.
Lehmann, who turns 38 next month, added: 'The disadvantage from the game against Ireland is that my coach now knows that he has a keeper who can produce a pretty good game out of nowhere and without match practice. He could not ask for a better keeper on the bench.'

Friday, October 12, 2007

Barry deserves spot, says Gerrard
England's stand-in captain Steven Gerrard says Gareth Barry deserves to keep his place against Estonia.

Barry produced two terrific performances in central midfield against Israel and Russia last month as England got their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign back on track with two 3-0 wins.
The Barry and Lampard decision is a massive one, but it's a good position to be in
England boss Steve McClaren
The Aston Villa star was given the nod after injuries to Lampard and Owen Hargreaves and complemented Gerrard perfectly as England dominated both games.
Lampard and Gerrard have struggled to form a partnership when they have played together, but Gerrard says he is happy to play with either man.
He added: "It doesn't matter to me who plays - I played well with Gareth in the last games but I've played well alongside Frank too, I wouldn't say Gareth got the best out of me.
"I might have to change my game slightly to play with both of them but that is something I feel I can do at this level and I am comfortable playing with both."
McClaren has admitted he faces a difficult decision, as Lampard has not been left out of a competitive international when fit since October 2003 when England drew 0-0 in Istanbul.
The England coach said: "The Barry and Lampard decision is a massive one, but it is a good position to be in.
"They are two players who have performed well - Frank consistently over two or three years, Gareth in the last two games.
"The team is the most important thing, not individuals and I think all the players understand that.
"It is fantastic to have quality on the bench because competition for places is what we need in this team - players looking over their shoulder thinking they've got a game on to keep their spot.
"It is one of the toughest decisions to make this week and it will be finalised along with the rest of the starting XI later on Friday."
Meanwhile, on Thursday, striker Michael Owen denied he is putting England before Newcastle.
Magpies boss Sam Allardyce has voiced concerns about Owen's ability to play in England's two qualifiers after stomach surgery on 28 September.
"The [Newcastle] manager could have started me on Sunday against Everton but he put me on the bench," said Owen. "I am fit.
"Considering I pushed myself to play in a record time for Newcastle, that should dispel any doubts I was just getting myself right for England."

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

I want to buy Arsenal - Usmanov
Usmanov initially said he wanted to increase his stake to 25%Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has revealed for the first time that he has long-term ambitions to buy Arsenal.
Usmanov recently raised his stake in Arsenal to 23% but indicated that he had no plans for a takeover.
The 54-year-old has now changed his tune but added that nothing would happen in the immediate future.
"We don't have the capacity today, but this is business and life is changing," he said. "Something that you can't do today, maybe you can do tomorrow."

The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow said Usmanov had fallen in love with Arsenal when Arsene Wenger took over as manager in the mid-1990s.
Usmanov described his stake in the club as a "good portfolio investment", but said if other major shareholders agreed to sell out, he would buy their shares - but only if the price was right.
If a significant shareholder sells, the whole dynamic changes
Farhad Moshiri, Usmanov's business partner
Usmanov's stake, held in company Red and White Holdings Limited (RAWHL), makes him the club's second largest shareholder behind Danny Fiszman, who owns just over 24%.
However, Fiszman and fellow board members Peter Hill-Wood, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr have a so-called "lockdown agreement" not to sell their shares until April 2008 at the earliest.
The quartet currently account for 45% of the club's shares, so their agreement is key to any takeover bid Usmanov might make.
Usmanov and business partner Farhad Moshiri are hopeful their stance will change at some point.

"If a significant shareholder sells, the whole dynamic changes," said Moshiri, who co-owns RAWHL with Usmanov.
"But it depends on the price. If the lock-down agreement is not renewed, then it is a new environment."
Usmanov's announcement comes a week after Arsenal published their annual financial results to 31 May 2007, which showed income had soared 46% to £200.8m, up from £137.2m a year before.
via bbc