Goalkeeping in Lehmann's terms

By Trevor Haylett

Who has the easiest job in football? Surely there have been many occasions this season when keeping goal for Arsenal FC is about as cushy as it gets, when all the action is down the other end of the field and you can afford to relax.

Tough job
However, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann says it is wrong to claim that his job has been made simple by the efficiency with which the London team have cut through their Premiership opponents. If anything, the German international believes he has to work even harder to maintain his concentration.

Concentration factor
"It is never easy, you are under pressure all the time," Lehmann said. "You might be well on top in the game but then the other team could break away and get in a shot at the other end and as the goalkeeper it is your responsibility to save it otherwise you will be blamed.

No relaxation
"Even if you are 5-0 up you have to concentrate all the time," he added. "You cannot afford to relax and let your guard down because there has always got to be a good balance between scoring goals and conceding goals. And at this level every moment your concentration is not total you risk being punished."

First season
His time in England could hardly have been more successful for the 34-year-old who signed for the Highbury club in the summer of 2003 from BV Borussia Dortmund. He played in every single Premiership game as Arsenal remained unbeaten to take the title by eleven points from Chelsea FC last term. He was ever-present too in the UEFA Champions League where they went out at the quarter-final stage to Chelsea and in the FA Cup where Arsenal's hopes were ended in the semi-finals by Manchester United FC.

Fun free zone
This season Arsenal have taken their brand of fast, mesmeric, attacking football to a new level, winning their first five league games with a total of 19 goals. At the same time they broke Nottingham Forest FC's record of 42 matches unbeaten in the league. The entertainment factor for the club's supporters has been immense but Lehmann says that on the pitch the players are not able to derive the same enjoyment.

Job done
"There is no enjoyment for the players, that is for the fans" he insisted. "It is a job of work for the players, a business. We can only enjoy it when the game is over and hopefully the points have been won."

Arsenal critics
Despite his ever-present run of league appearances and a championship medal at the end of his first season, Lehmann has not convinced every Arsenal supporter that he should be the long-term replacement for David Seaman. He was blamed for the Chelsea goal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Stamford Bridge which ultimately helped Claudio Ranieri's side go through 3-2 on aggregate, yet the custodian has a swift retort for his critics.

Proud record
"Last year was the best season of my career," said Lehmann, who has appeared 19 times for his country. "I made no mistakes in the Premiership and while there may have been a mistake in the Champions League, out of 54 games that's not a bad record."

Getting there
Lehmann said it was for others to judge whether he was a better keeper now than before he joined Arsenal and denied that after a full season he feels completely integrated in the English game. "Not after 50 or so games, no," he said. "Maybe that will come after 500."