The german goalkeeper left Emirates Stadium on Sunday with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.
Before kick-off, Arsène Wenger had said the 38-year-old was "99 per cent" likely to leave at the end of his contract in the summer. Therefore the manager afforded his German keeper the luxury of a 20-minute appearance at the end of the 1-0 win over Everton.
At full time captain William Gallas convinced the former Dortmund stopper to make his own personal farewell. He then joined the rest of the side in a more general thank you to the fans.
Lehmann's name was sung the loudest, proof that his five years had been memorable.
"I had one or two tears in my eyes," he said afterwards. "It was a great farewell for me. This farewell will always stay in my heart.
"The boss told me before that he planned to get me on. It was a very warm welcome on the pitch and I was very fortunate because the team didn't let me down before, just in case it had been 3-0 or 2-0 for Everton, it would have been a different reception."
So how does Lehmann look back on the Arsenal experience?
"It was the right decision from the start to the end, to come here," he said. "Not only in terms of football but as well for my family. My children now are talking, are speaking better English than German, and they don't want to go back.
"My wife and myself, we learnt the language quite well and we learnt about another way of life. A very respectful, very kind way and that's a little bit different to Germany. There are a lot of similarities between English and German people but there are some differences as well.
"As for the football I was part of a team which was playing probably the most attractive game. It was really good.
"In the first two years we won something, unfortunately in the third year we were very close to winning the Champions League, but failed in the end.
"My biggest memory was probably the Real Madrid game at home, when we played 0-0. Then of course the FA Cup Final and then there was the game we became champions at Tottenham.
"I was together with Sol Campbell we were the only players who felt disappointed in the dressing-room because we didn't know we were champions by this time. We had conceded a goal just at the end and it finished 2-2. That was a very, very emotional moment for me.
"But, I said before, there are more memories than only just playing, there is the reception of the supporters. The respectful kindness of the supporters."
And that is what Lehmann saw for one last time on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger has primed his side for penalties ahead of Tuesday night's Champions LeagueQuarter-Final second leg at Anfield and says that, should the game go to spot-kicks, it will be a battle of nerves.
The last three games between Arsenal and Liverpool finished draw 1-1, so everyone expected that today night, the result will be the same. The last two games between the two teams was in the last 5 days, the fisrt one was for Champions league at Emirates stadium, the second one was for Premiere league at the same stadium. In this games Arsenal was the better team but cant won the game. We hope that today our favourite team will triumph at Anfield.
Meanwhile Arsene Wenger said that, if arsenal win in Sunday clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, will save the chance to win the title, this will be very hard match for the young gunners, because the Red Devils will play only for a win, and in this moment they are in great form, but the football is one of the best games in the world, because everything can happend.
Today is one of the most importnat games of the season for Arsenal, they will meet Liverpool in the first leg of quarter finals of Champions League at Emirates Stadium. The two teams will play for one week three games two for European Champions league and one for Premiere League. The two English clubs defeat two Italian in the previous round, Arsenal defeat AC Milan, and Liverpool beat Milan's rivals Inter, now is the time of truth, because both teams want to win this year Cup. Arsenal also have chances to win the dosmetic cup, after sturday dramatic away win against Bolton Wonderers, the gunners played almost 60 minutes with 10 people after the red card shown to Diaby for dangerous foul, and bolton had the lead at half time with goals, but the second half, arsenal managed to score 3 goals(Gallas, Van Persie and Fabregas) and win the game wth 3-2 with fabrega's goal in the last minute of the match. Yestreday Man utd win in Rome with goals and almost qualify for the semi finals, where they will face the winner between Barcelona and Schalke 04, which finished with one goal win for Barca at Germany. All we the fans of Arsenal hoppe that today will beat Liverpool with big difference. Good luck Gunners!!!
After Sunday defeat from london rivals Chelsea with 2-1, two goals scored by african star Drogba, arsenal lost the chances for the title. Arsene Wenger gave interview in the official site Arsenal.com:
On the repercusations of this defeat... "It is a big setback for us when you add the four games we drew and today's loss. Now we just have to come back and win games before we dream of the title."
On the game itself... "It was a game we should have won, but we paid for some lapses in concentration. It is difficult to swallow because we played quite well and were in control of the game. What was left to Chelsea was to play long balls, and we did not deal well enough with it."
On the reasons for the defeat... "The spirit was right and the mentality was fantastic, over all the team played very well but at the moment, I feel we have some defensive problems which we need to sort out. We got caught on the long balls and the physical battle. But we were a bit unlucky because the first goal was offside and it was also a foul from Terry before that. That has a big impact in the game, and recently we have been badly done by things like that."
On the opportunity missed... "I don't worry about Chelsea. I worry about Arsenal and the way we play the game. We were 1-0 up and had it all in our hands. We needed a bit more defensive authority as the game was there to be taken. We had plenty of chances on the counter-attack when they went 4-4-2. It was just a matter of time to score the second goal. We were not serene enough defensively."
On disappointment... "I feel the sprit in the team is fantastic. Today the players will be very disappointed because they gave everything but we go home without any points. That is why we have to show our strength. I believe we have the strength, but at the moment we are six points behind Manchester United. We have first to win our next game before we talk about the title. I do not believe that we had any confidence problem today."
On losing the lead... "I feel the team got a big blow when we went 2-1 down and then lost a bit of patience in the build-up. We wanted to go too much through the middle instead of going wide."
On the ankle injury to Bacary Sagna ... "I don't know how bad it is. But it was also a disturbance to lose him at such an important moment of the game."
Gael Clichy would rather have avoided an English team in the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League - but not because he fears Liverpool.
The French left-back agrees with Arsène Wenger's view that continental opponents bring a more authentic feel to the competition. However, Clichy is confident that Arsenal can prevail even if they need to beat Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United to taste European glory. The team must play also with this three teams in Premiere League, the first match is in Sunday at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. We all hope that will be the first win after the last draw mathces.
Williams Gallas insists Liverpool will hold no fear for Arsenal when the clubs meet in the Champions League Quarter-Final.
The Club captain issued his rallying call after Friday’s draw pitted the two Premier League giants against each other.
Despite a recently floundering domestic campaign, Arsenal’s defeat of AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League has made many across Europe wary of Arsène Wenger’s men. Gallas is not surprised.
Arsenal London will face another english club in the quarter finals in Champions League, Liverpool is the opponent. Arsenal advanced to the Quarter-Finals with a 2-0 aggregate victory against the defending champions, AC Milan. Liverpool reached the last eight with a 3-0 aggregate win over Inter Milan. The first match will be played on wednesday, 2 April at Emirates Stadium, the second one at Anfield on Tuesday, April 8. The winner between the two teams will meet at Semi finals the winner from Fenerbahce or another london team, Chelsea.
Champion League draw:
Quarter-Finals:
Arsenal v Liverpool Roma v Manchester United Schalke v Barcelona Fenerbahce v Chelsea
Semi-Finals:
Arsenal or Liverpool v Fenerbahce or Chelsea Schalke or Barcelona v Roma or Manchester United
Arsenal's next Champions League opponents will be revealed when the draw for the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals of the competition is made in Nyon on Friday.
Arsène Wenger's side reached the last eight with a 2-0 aggregate victory against the defending European champions, AC Milan. They are one of four English clubs in the Quarter-Finals after Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool also advanced.
No team in the draw will be seeded and sides from the same country can play each other. The strong Premier League contingent means there is a 43 per cent chance that Arsenal will play English opposition. Their other possible opponents are Schalke, Roma, Fenerbahce or Barcelona, who beat Arsenal in the 2006 Final and now have former Gunners captain Thierry Henry in their ranks.
Friday's draw begins at 12pm (UK time) and will be conducted by UEFA General Secretary, David Taylor, together with the ambassador for the Final in Moscow on May 21, former Russia goalkeeper Rinat Dasaev. The Semi-Final pairings will also be drawn on Friday.
Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger said, that for him the trophies aren't the only purpose, he wants his players to show their skills and the hearts, minds, admiration and respect of the football community. There are two mounths till end of the season the Frenchman is closing in on his two main targets, the Premier League and the Champions League. Today Arsenal will play away game against Wigan Athletic in Premiere League, everyone expect a win like last one against AC Milan.
Arsenal stormed into the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League after a magnificent victory at Milan on Tuesday evening. The young gunners took very important win over Italian veterans and qualify for the next round of Champions League. Arsenal make one of the best match this season, they dominated almost all the time. First half Cesc Fabregas hit the bar after power hit but the result was still 0-0, the second half AC Milan looked they are already tired and Arsenal scored in 85 min after powerful shoot by Fabregas at about 30 meters distance down in the right corner, after that AC Milan tried to make the result different but in last second Theo Walcott find Emmanuel Adebayor in the penalty area and the las scored for 2-0, this was his first goal in Chempions League this season. All in the team also and the fans waiting with interest who will be the next opponent.
Nicklas Bendtner scored in the last minute against Aston Villa at Emirates stadium to make the result 1-1 and praised Arsenal's character with this so important point. At the weekend, it looked like Arsene Wenger's side were going to slip to only their second defeat in 50 competitive games at Emirates Stadium. Now Arsenal is on top of the Premier League only with one point more than second Man utd. Now everyone expected the away match against AC Milan, the first game between the two teams finished draw 0-0, we hope that we can win them now at San Siro.
There has been much media comment over Red & White Holdings’ recent share purchases and their intention to acquire over 25% of the Arsenal Football Club or a 'blocking stake' as it has been referred to. First and most importantly, a 25% holding would have no impact on the day to day running of the Club, on buying and selling players or any contractual or sponsorship agreements. There are some important decisions affecting the business that need shareholder approval, however the majority of these only require a simple majority of shareholders to vote in favour. These decisions, which are known Ordinary Resolutions, include the appointment of directors; the payment of dividends, approval of the accounts etc. There are some unusual decisions which require the approval of 75% of shareholders. These are very rare and are known as Special Resolutions and include winding up the company or changing its name. In the recent history of Arsenal there have only been two occasions when we have had to put Special Resolutions to our shareholders. These were both changes that were required to finance Emirates Stadium. In conclusion, a 25% shareholder would therefore have no material influence on how the Club is run on a day to day basis. The Club would also like to confirm the details of the 'lock down' agreement currently in place between our Board of Directors. At the Club's AGM last October, the Board announced that they are all long-term shareholders and, to strengthen the position, they entered into a new lock down agreement. Under the agreement, the Board members agreed not to dispose of any of their interests in the Club before 18 April 2009, other than to certain permitted persons such as close family. After that date, for the remainder of the term of the agreement, they can only sell their shares to another person if the other parties to the agreement do not wish to buy them. The agreement is for five years (until 18 October 2012), although it can be terminated early by the parties on its third anniversary (18 October 2010).
While Eduardo is still in their thoughts, Arsenal’s focus is remains very much on the job in hand, according to Theo Walcott
The youngster revealed that the best way the team can overcome the adversity of last weekend is to take all three points when Aston Villa visit Emirates Stadium this Saturday. Walcott also told of the feeling within the squad in the days that followed the Croatian striker’s horrific injury.
“Of course Eduardo has been on our minds,” Walcott told“It was a quiet coach ride home and felt just like a loss in truth.
“We had a couple of days off and then actually went bowling to keep our team-spirit up. A couple of lads went to see him yesterday and reported back to the rest of us.
“But we have tried to forget about it in a way and concentrate on Saturday.
“We don’t all want to rush there and then gradually stop. It will be more difficult for him in later months so we want to be there for him the whole time he is out.”
Eduardo’s absence, coupled with Robin van Persie’s lack of fitness leaves the door wide open for someone to seize a role up front. After grabbing his first Premier League goals at Birmingham, Walcott believes he is the man to do it.
“I feel upbeat, I feel confident,” he continued. “The goals helped and they gave me a boost so hopefully I can take that into Saturday.
“It was nice to get a poacher's goal. My agents have told me I need more of those. Then the second was more about the kind of player I am. Left-foot too, which is something people have questioned me about.
“Now I just have to improve with every game and time will tell [if I can fill the striker’s role]. After all, the boss picks the team so when I do play I will just do my best.”
Arsenalcan confirm that following the incident during Saturday’s match at Birmingham City, which finished draw 2-2, Eduardo has fractured his left fibula and sustained an open dislocation of his ankle joint in the same leg.
He was immediately taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where he underwent surgery on Saturday evening. The operation was successful and Eduardo was transferred to a London-based hospital on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier today (Monday 25th February), the Orthopaedic surgeon and Arsenal medical staff assessed the extent of the damage and possible time scale for a full recovery.
All being well, Eduardo will have his leg in plaster and using crutches for the next six to eight weeks. After that time, partial weight-bearing exercises will be scheduled into a slow rehabilitation process.
It is hoped that Eduardo will be running again in six months time and making a full recovery after nine months.
Eduardo will be released from hospital in a few days.
The Arsenal medical team would like to take this opportunity to thank Birmingham City for their assistance on the day as well as the surgical and ward staff on S2 at Selly Oak Hospital for their expert medical care.
In addition, and on behalf of Eduardo, the Club would like to thank everyone for their many touching messages of support.
Arsenaldidn't make the result, that they want, but Cesc Fabregas believes the team made a good performance and have chances in the second leg at San Siro after two weeks. Arsène Wenger's side bossed the second half of the Champions League Knockout Round tie at Emirates Stadium but could not make it count. Now Arsenal will prepare for the weekend away game in Premier League against Birmingham, which is very important for the title race.
In the first leg of knock out of the Champions League between the teams of Arsenal and AC Milan finished draw 0-0, the gunners had more attempts for goal but didn't realized them, the most dangerous was in the last second of the match, when Emmanuel Adebayor hit the bar with head. Mathieu Flamini believes that Arsenal are well-equipped to progress and insists that they have plenty of know-how themselves.
Cesc Fabregas thinks that if you are not careful with Milan's midfield, they "can kill you in a minute". The 20-year-old admits he is in admiration of some of the players he will come up against on Wednesday night when the Champions League holders visit Emirates Stadium. This is game between young and old players, the Italians are the Veterans. Another interesting thing is that Arsene Wenger have a solid record against Italians team in Europeans competitions, but this match against AC Milan is the ultimate test. He lost only three games from twelve played, he has defeated teams like Juventus, Inter, Roma.
From the beginning of the season Mathieu Flamini gained a new nickname among his teammates, they call him Flattuso. He has established as enforcer in Arsenal midfield and win the label of leading exponent like Gennaro Gattuso, who plays for AC Milan. The Italian team will arrive on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in first leg in the Champions League knockout round. On the pitch could meet each other Flattuso and Gattuso.
For Arsene Wenger the most danger player in AC Milan is the Brazilian midfielder Kaka. Blessed with pace, vision and a penchant for the spectacular, Kaka is capable of changing a game in a flash. A fact Manchester United, Liverpool and Celtic found out to their cost in last season’s premier European competition. The World Player of the Year has overcome injury in time for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Emirates Stadium — a place Kaka has fond memories of. In his first appearance at the Gunners home, in September 2006, the 25 year-old scored a wonderful solo goal in Brazil’s 3-0 victory against Argentina.
Gilberto Silva has urged his team-mates to bounce back against Milan, like his manager he took a part in the game against Man utd and he is very disappointed, because the red devils was with classes over the Arsenal, who didn't show his potential. However the priorities this season for all arsenal's players are Premier league and Champion league. So, according to Gilberto Silva, any lethargy and despondency must be shaken off before AC Milan visit Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in the last 16 of the latter competition. Meanwhile last week there are speculations about Wenger's future in Arsenal, the medias wrote that the Frenchman will replace Frank Rijkaard in Barcelona this summer. Arsene Wenger said: "It's not the first time (there has been speculation), but I'm happy where I am. I have no intention of moving and I want to carry on."
Man utd defeat Arsenal in 5th round of FA Cup with 4-0('16 Rooney, '20, '74 Fletcher, '38 Nani). Arsenal only have chances to win the Premier League and Champion league after their knock out from the both English cups. This lose was very bad for the Arsenal because there is in the middle of the week very important match for Champion league against AC Milan at Emirates stadium. The match against Man utd was solved only for 20 minutes, the reds leaded with 3-0 and after the half time break Emmanuel Eboue was sent off and that was all for the gunners hopes to make anything else in this game.
Arsene Wenger said the he will retire from his carer when he lose his desire for win. The 58 years old Frenchman said on Fridays press conference that he wants to stay in Arsenal London for another 20 years. We all hope that Arsene Wenger will stay at the club as long as he can, because he prove everyday that he is one of the best managers all over the world.
Abou Diaby expects that team of Arsenal and Manchester united will give everything to qualify for the next FA cup round, the match will be played on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. The French midfielder believes is very important for the psychological advantage, because the two teams will go head to head at the same venue in April. They also have important matches in Champion league, but arsenal's players said that for them the English Premier league title is most important at all.
Arsenal London won yesterday with 2-0('4 Senedros, '90 Adebayor) over strong team of Blackbubrn Rovers and kept the first place in Premiere league with 5 points difference from the second one Man utd. Phillipe Senderos scored the first goal after one corner kick, Eduardo put the ball on defender's head. After the goal Blackburn made some dangerous situations front of the Arsenal goal.Alex Hleb hit the post with power shoot in second half, and in the last minute Hleb passed to Emmanuel Adebayor and he scored down in the left corner. Next match is on Saturday and Arsenal will face Man utd for FA Cup at Old Trafford.
Mohamed Aboutrika scored the only one goal in this final 13 minutes before the end, and Egypt win with 1-0 the national team of Cameroon. The Pharaohs are the first side successfully defendet the title twice, they also scooped a record sixth African cup of Nations title after a hard-fought victory over Cameroon. The young gunner Alex Song played only 15 minutes and has forced to go out from a knee injury. It was a disappointing end to a spectacular month for the him.