Gunners turn back to Lehman

 Subscribe in a reader

It is looking increasingly likely that Jens Lehman could be set for a sensational return to Arsenal, nearly a year after he hung up his gloves and retired from the game. The German was due to spend the next few weeks at the club working on his coaching badges, although Lehman could be asked to go a bit further and resign for the club on a short-term deal.

The drastic measure has been forced upon Arsene Wenger following injuries to three of his goalkeepers, Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone all currently unavailable with injury, so not featured in football betting picks. The lack of keepers has left Manuel Almunia as the club’s only fit senior stopper available. The Spaniard has been in inspired form since returning to the first-team but any problem with Almunia would leave Wenger donning the gloves himself unless he can bring in a short-term measure.

41-year old Lehman spent five years at the club before returning to Germany with Stuttgart in 2008. Despite retiring last year, it is understood that Lehman would be happy to help out his old club in their time of need and a deal could be struck in time for the former German international to take his place on the bench in next weekend’s trip to West Brom.

Edwin van der Saar and David James have both shown that age is but a number when it comes to goalkeeping and raise the stakes in soccer betting odds but Lehman’s return isn’t going to be the answer to the club’s continued problems between the sticks. This summer, Wenger needs to finally decide if one of the keepers currently at the club is capable of doing the job as the team’s number one, or whether he finally needs to go out and splash the cash on a goalkeeper capable of taking this team to the next level.

Chamakh admits poor form for Gunners

 Subscribe in a reader

Marouane Chamakh has admitted that he may not be able to play for sport club Arsenal until March at the earliest.

The Moroccan international moved to the Emirates from Bordeaux last summer and is struggling to deal with the pace of the Premier League.

He has started his career in England well having scored 10 goals this season but he admits he is starting to become fatigued.

Chamakh has been rested by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in recent weeks as Robin van Persie has come into form.

This has resulted in Chamakh questioning whether he can compete at the highest level in England and he admits he still has work to do to get up to standard.

“By the start of January I felt that I had completely lost my edge,” he said.

“It was there for all to see. I am only human, so I’ve been given some rest. Besides, Arsenal have been able to profit from Robin van Persie’s form.

“It is a blessing in disguise, as the team is doing well and I’m able to get some rest. I hope to play again soon, but it could be in March rather than February.

“But it is not serious. I am here to learn, both in training and matches, and also to improve my game and to acclimatise to London and English football.”

Gunners hope to bounce back

 Subscribe in a reader

Arsenal will know that they will need to win their final Group H match against Partizan next week, to ensure their place in the next round of this season’s Champions League. The Gunners looked on course to sail through this stage but back-to-back losses mean they need a final day win to progress. Anyone who has bet on Champions League group stages will still expect them to progress.

They could have had the job done against Braga in their last match, only to put in a disappointing performance, going down 2-0 in Portugal when a draw would have been enough to qualify. Braga will go to group leaders Shakhtar Donetsk needing a win to have any chance of securing a shock qualification. The Champions League betting tips suggest they will struggle to do this.

The Gunner’s will be without their captain Cesc Fabregas for their crunch match. The captain suffered a hamstring injury in the Braga match and is a major doubt for the Partizan match. There is a chance he could be back for the all important Premier League game at Old Trafford on the 13th.

Arsenal FC are likely to be without Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Eboue for their final UEFA Champions League Group H match after both picked up injuries in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at SC Braga.

Despite their recent Champions League hiccups, Arsene Wenger will still be confident of doing the business at the Emirates. The Arsenal boss is desperate to pick up some silverware after a trophy less six years and this is a competition in which Wenger would love to win. It was four years ago when he came closest to leading his side to European glory, losing in the final to Barcelona. The Frenchman will be desperate to go one better this year.