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Old 16-11-2007, 07:07 PM   #23 (permalink)
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Default KOPKE BACKING LEHMANN

Germany goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke has backed Jens Lehmann to return to the Arsenal first team and keep his place as the country's number one for Euro 2008.

Lehmann suffered a shaky start to the season and was replaced with Manuel Almunia by boss Arsene Wenger after making several errors.

The German stopper has voiced his discontent a number of times and, while Kopke is confident in Lehmann, he admits the former Borussia Dortmund man may have to seek a move if he is not playing first-team football when the transfer window reopens.

Kopke said: "We will sit together in January and have to choose the best situation for us.

"If I was his coach, I would play him and I am sure that sooner or later, he will play again for Arsenal since he is the better goalkeeper."

Lehmann recently revealed he would even consider transferring to a club in the German second division this winter if he fails to break back into the Arsenal first team, but he is confident that will not be necessary.

He said: "With all the cup games and the season continuing over the winter in England, I think I should have the chance to play around seven or eight games in December and January.

"Add the three or four more international games to that and I will have still played around 20 games this season, which I don't think is all that bad."

Lehmann remains puzzled as to why he is being exiled, saying: "If there is a world-class player forcing me to sit on the bench, then I would accept that, but I am not in that situation.

"The only question that I raise is this: is the goalkeeper better than me? If not, why an I not playing?

"That is up for your own interpretation, but the question really is: is he better than me?"

Although a January move might be a welcome option, it would also be fraught with difficulties off the pitch.

Lehmann added: "I have also got a responsibility to my family and it would not be good to take my children out of school for a few months.

"My absolute aim is to play for Arsenal, at least until the summer."

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