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Lehmann can't forget Paris
20/11/2006 08:07 - (SA)
London - Jens Lehmann is determined to lead Arsenal back to the Champions League final to make up for the bitter memories of his side's defeat against Barcelona in Paris.
Gunners goalkeeper Lehmann, 37, was sent off for a professional foul on Samuel Eto'o early in last season's final at the Stade de France and, despite taking the lead through Sol Campbell, Arsenal were eventually beaten 2-1.
That miserable evening in the French capital is a constant source of regret for Germany international Lehmann, who admits he would love a chance at redemption in this season's final in Athens.
For that to happen Arsenal have to make sure they escape from a three-way scrap with CSKA Moscow and Porto to qualify for the second round.
Arsene Wenger's side are currently second in Group G and need to beat German side Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday and then draw at Porto to guarantee a place in the last 16.
If they can manage that Lehmann has no doubts Arsenal can repeat last season's magnificent run in the competition.
He told the Sunday Times: "Looking back on what happened, it gives me great desire to put things right. I think an English club will win it this season."
Despite Arsenal already trailing Premiership leaders Manchester United by 12 points, Lehmann refused to rule out the possibility of domestic success, although he acknowledges how much Wenger craves respect in Europe.
"I know it would mean more to him to win the Champions League, but I don't feel we can afford to neglect the Premiership," Lehmann added.
"If the time comes in March and April and we're still in contention for both, then maybe we'll reassess it."
Hamburg are already eliminated from the competition after losing all four matches so far and Wenger will have to guard against the kind of complacent performance that Arsenal are making a habit of at home this season.
Saturday's 1-1 Premiership draw with Newcastle was the fourth time that Arsenal have been held to a point by supposedly inferior opposition at the Emirates Stadium.
Hamburg's woes aren't confined to the Champions League and Saturday's goalless draw at fellow strugglers Mainz left Thomas Doll's side stuck in the Bundesliga relegation zone.
They have won just one of their last 20 competitive matches and will travel to London more in hope than expectation of returning home with a positive result.
Doll, who was recently told by chairman Bernd Hoffmann that he has the "safest job in the Bundesliga", has not been helped by long-term injuries to Nigel de Jong, Guy Demel, Vincent Kompany and Juan Pablo Sorin.
Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin van Persie is set to miss out with a foot injury suffered against Newcastle, so Wenger is likely to restore Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor to the team.
Wenger said: "Van Persie's foot doesn't look good. We have to see what is coming out on the X-ray. Just now I don't know, but it looks like he will be out on Tuesday night."
- AFP
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