There can be very few Gooners who thought that Arsene Wenger’s decision to replace Jens Lehmann with Manuel Almunia at the start of last season was a bad one. After all, the German had blundered in successive matches, firstly gifting David Healy a goal against Fulham and then allowing the ball to slip through his fingers at Blackburn. The Spaniard grabbed his chance with both hands (which is more than can be said for Lehmann and a football), thus vindicating the Arsenal manager’s decision.
However, the Daily Mail report that the German number one, who will somehow feature for his country in the Euro 2008 final on Sunday, is still bitter about his difficult last season at the Emirates, laying the blame squarely at Wenger’s feet.
‘This achievement means a lot to me after a difficult season – but that difficult season was down to my manager.
‘Arsene and I had some discussions about that and I have told him what I think about his decision but I’m quite proud to represent Arsenal in the final.’
I can’t imagine the Frenchman will be losing too much sleep over Jens’ comments, while there must be plenty of Arsenal fans who would like to see Cesc Fabregas score the winning goal for Spain on Sunday, especially after the poor manner in which Lehmann has conducted himself over the past few months. Good riddance Gooners?