Wenger: It's up to Lehmann
28 Dec 2007 - 14:10:12
Arsene Wenger claims the future of Jens Lehmann at Arsenal is in the hands of the veteran goalkeeper.
Lehmann, 38, has revealed his unhappiness at losing his first-team place to Manuel Almunia this season and has hinted he may seek a move away from the Emirates Stadium in the transfer window.
But Wenger is keen for Lehmann to remain with the Gunners and will sit down with the veteran German international to discuss his plans for the future.
"I believe first he has to make his mind up - does he want to stay with us or not?" the Frenchman told Sky Sports News.
"I personally would prefer him to stay and he has to make his mind up first and then we will see together."
Meanwhile, Wenger claims the loss of Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure to the African Cup of Nations next month will not force him into the transfer market.
Wenger has also received an unlikely boost as Emmanuel Adebayor will not be heading to Ghana for the event after Togo failed to qualify.
"We knew (about) that before the season started and we expected Adebayor to leave, so the good news is that he doesn't go," he continued.
"But we are not in the market at the moment."