Lehmann’s played his last game, but Bendtner hasn’t 24 December, 2007

Not a great deal of news this Christmas Eve. Just two stories that are really of any interest. The first being Jens Lehmann’s confession that he’s lost his place in the Arsenal side. I think we all saw the pictures of him sitting on the bench while Manuel Almunia, who Jens just cant get enough of criticising saved a vital penalty. When Keane’s spot kick was saved, I think that was the very moment Almunia cemented his place in the first eleven.

I do really feel sorry for Jens though. He was an amazing ‘keeper but absolutely mental. You had to love his degree of inanity but as an Arsenal fan it was sometimes very scary. He was capable of pulling of magnificent saves, yet five minutes later do something really stupid, and in the first few games this season that’s exactly what happened and it cost us points. Here’s what he said about a move away from Arsenal:

“I should know more in a week, so that I can make a decision in the first days of the New Year. I’ve listened to something, but at the moment I can’t say much about it.”

He also said that he hasn’t spoken to Man City who have been linked with a move. The most likely option would be for him to go back to Germany. He needs first team action, which is completely understandable, so good luck to him. He won over a lot of Arsenal fans, I was one of many that weren’t happy with him as the next David Seaman in our team but I grew to really like him. His highlight of his career was the 2006 Champions League run; it’s just such a shame that when he made it to the final he was dismissed so early. If he never got sent off God know what might’ve happened in that game.

Right, that’s my Lehmann tribute. So yeah, it looks like he’s off next month. Cheers Jens.

On the other end of the scale, a player who is just emerging into the team is Nicklas Bendtner. That header on Saturday will give him so much confidence that he can really do with at this stage of his career. I’ve always like Nick, I used to go and watch him play for the Arsenal reserves regularly. He and Arturo Lupoli formed a great partnership and were banging in the goals. It’s just Nick’s attitude that’s sometimes annoyed me…

He’s a young player and often he or his dad used to come out saying that they demand a first team place for Nick of he’s off. He’s only young and still developing and you can’t, at that age, just expect to walk into a team that’s top of the Premiership. I think he’s come to accept that now and he’s just getting on with it. I haven’t heard anything from him or his dad about wanting a starting place. He’s completely changed his tone now and he’s saying all the right things:

“I’ll do whatever I can and won’t rest until I get into the team. That is all I have on my mind and all I think about. I’m staying here no matter what happens. My feelings this year are with the club and I want to play for Arsene. Moving now or going on loan would not be what I want.”

That’s great to hear, because I was always worried that he’d move on but he looks like he’s got potential. I don’t think he’s quite earned himself a starting place yet but we know what he can do and it wont be very long until he’s an important part of our team.

Right I’ve got to go now, but have a great Christmas Eve, don’t get too drunk. I should speak to you tomorrow, I usually get stuffed drunk bored in the afternoon and wonder over to the computer. Until then my friends.