By Ian Grant
PLAYERS
David Seaman, thinks Lehmann has been harshly treated and told the Daily Mail: “Jens is a fantastic keeper. He deserves another chance. He has made a few mistakes but on form he deserves to be the first-team choice.”
According to the Express, Manuel Almunia was told by Wenger when he signed that he would be given the chance to oust Lehmann.
Lehmann told the Evening Standard: “Arsene said I did not look the freshest to him. That’s it. To be honest, I was surprised at the decision to drop me. I don’t yet know how I am going to take it.”
And added: “I knew all along that if you have two or three bad games in the Premiership, you’re out. But except for my mistake in Athens [against Panathinaikos], I haven’t had anything to blame myself for.”
Sol Campbell said of the youngsters: “These are fantastic young players. Really good. They get their foot in, they have hunger and desire. That is what you need.”
Vieira said: “I am confident in the great players we have in the squad to come into the team and do a great job. It is one of the great things about Arsenal that we have the strength and spirit to show courage in the face of adversity.”
Sol Campbell said on his contract: “It’s all agreed. There are just a few things left to sort out. Most of them are already sorted out – it’s just the legal technicalities. I’m here now and it’s fine, I’m happy with it.”
And added: “If I’m here for a long time, then I couldn’t really see myself playing for someone else. But who knows? If I’m 35 or 36 and I’ve still got the desire, then who can say?”
WENGER
Arsene Wenger admitted the pressure was on after selecting the most inexperienced central midfield duo he has ever selected for a key game.
Wenger said of Flamini: “He is an intelligent boy with a winning mentality and is a ball-winner as well. His work-rate is tremendous, higher than anybody else.”
TRIALLIST
Arsenal have handed a trial to 24-year-old Tromso keeper Knut Borch after he was spotted by Gunners scouts in the Scandinavian Royal League games against Brondby and IFK Gothenburg.
Borch said: “This is great. Arsenal have some of the greatest players in the world, so it will be a special moment for me when I meet them.”
TRANSFER TALK
According to Football 365, Arsenal will win the race to sign Shaun Wright-Phillips, by offering Jermaine Pennant, plus cash.
Carlo Cudicini has vowed to stay at Chelsea for the rest of the season despite interest from Arsenal, says the Standard.
MISCELLANEOUS
Darren Fullerton in the Daily Mirror said of the Man U–Arsenal Carling Cup game: “I’d rather dress up as Miss Marple and meet Wayne Rooney on Viagra in a darkened alleyway than relive the meaningless dross provided at Old Trafford last week.”
49: The Complete Unbeaten Record is out on DVD (Granada, Pounds 14.99) features every Arsenal goal from the run that began on May 7, 2003 with a 6-1 defeat of Southampton, and ended on October 24. The programme features interviews with Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry and some Highbury legends.
Defender John Halls, an Arsenal player until joining Stoke 12 months ago, said of the FA Cup draw: “It’s a magic draw for me. It’s the one I would have picked if I’d had the choice. I’ve already had people asking for complimentary tickets. I don’t know what kind of team Arsenal will put out, probably a mixture of the big names and the rest. The pressure will be on them, not us.”
The London Urban Collective whose rap/urban music album was available online, as from yesterday (www.londonurbancollective.com) is part funded by Arsenal, as a community initiative, via the Arsenal Regeneration team.
Denis Kilcommons writes in the Huddersfield Examiner that his Arsenal supporter friend Tony’s parrot is driving him mad by singing “Vi-err-a, Vi-err-a…”