It was not a clean sheet for Lehmann as he faced Hoffenheim for his last match.
The Stuttgart defense gave up a goal to Boris Vukcevic and Lehmann let them have it in true Jens Lehmann style.
“Very annoying that this happens in my last game!”
22 years in all. His goalkeeping was impressive in his debut season at Arsenal as the Invincibles went unbeaten in 2003-2004. He had a poorer second season competing with Manuel Almunia but came back at the end with some very important saves in the FA Cup final which saw the Gunners beat Man Utd, 5-4 in the penalty shootout. The highlight was when Lehmann stopped Scholes. It was the last Arsenal title.
2005-2006 was his year. He was voted as CL goalkeeper of the year with 10 clean sheets and went 853 minutes without conceding a goal and breaking Van Der Saar’s record. The crowning glory when he stopped Juan Roman Riquelme’s penalty in the 89th minute in the semi-final against Villareal. It set up that final against Barca where he gained notoriety as the only player sent off in a final. But it was all part of being Jens.
It was also the year when Lehmann and Ollie Kahn, two irascible personalities vied for primacy as best goalkeeper for the German World Cup squad. It was the topic of endless media fascination as the race bordered on the bizarre and surreal.
By 2006-2007 he was once again competing with Almunia as Arsenal slipped to fourth place in the Premiership. It was rumoured that he would leave at the end of the season on a free transfer.
He was back in 2007-2008 and not in a good way. Making two consecutive blunders that led to goals by David Healy and David Dunn as Arsenal made a shaky start to their season. Wenger had him benched and Almunia was promoted from his back up role. Lehmann was left fuming for the next four months at his lack of appearances. With Fabianski being groomed as back up to Almunia, his days at Arsenal were numbered. But he came back in early 2008 after Almunia injured himself and saw intermittent appearances till his final appearance against Everton on May 4th. He was given a standing ovation, clapping and bowing as he exited the field.
Lehmann was a brilliant shotstopper. He was decisive on open field shots and from the penalty spot. He was less sure on set pieces but his combative nature ensured plenty of space for himself to deal with corners and free kicks with the occasional lapse in judgment. He was a personality and there are enough You Tube clips for a favourite Jens Lehmann moment. Drogba and Lehmann taking turns flopping.
But one misses him because he was a leader, not afraid to show his emotions and displeasure at a faltering defense. Even more now. I cannot imagine for one moment, Blackburn getting away with what they did with Fabianski. They would have been the recipient of some very special attention from Lehmann. Thanks Jens for all those Arsenal memories. I will kick a hoarding in your honour!