Thursday, May 19, 2011

Lehmann ready to play on

Posted May 19, 2011 08:32:00

Veteran ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann said overnight he could yet play on for Premier League giants Arsenal next season, even though he will turn 42 in November.

Lehmann retired at the end of last season, but while helping out the north London club while studying for his coaching licence, he was persuaded by former team Arsenal to step in last March as it went through an injury crisis.

Manager Arsene Wenger offered Lehmann a short-term contract until the end of the season and he made a single Premier League appearance for the Gunners in the 3-1 win at Blackpool in April.

But he told German daily Bild he is prepared to extend his come-back by playing on for a further year.

"It was not really a comeback, but more of a last resort - actually more of a hobby," said the former Schalke, Dortmund and Stuttgart shot-stopper.

"I took three weeks to get really fit - and then I had to play against Blackpool.

"I thought 'You can do it still. You haven't forgotten what to do'.

"From my performance, I would be able to continue playing.

"My team-mates are always asking me if I'll still be here next season."

- AFP

Tags: sport, football, english-premier-league, united-kingdom, england


View the original article here

No comments:

Post a Comment