Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has told Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that it would be dangerous to “humiliate” him by leaving him on the bench much longer.
Lehmann was omitted from the Arsenal squad in the Premier League against Bolton last Saturday.
“It’s possible that some day I’ll feel like talking about the whole issue,” Lehmann told German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere.
“But at the moment I’m just swallowing it all as part of the humiliation. That’s something one has to take in. But I think – and this is aimed at my dear manager – one shouldn’t humiliate players for too long.
“I’m an Arsenal player and I won’t just fade away quietly.”
Wenger stuck with Spaniard Manuel Almunia as his number one and did not even name Lehmann as his substitute keeper with Polish international goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski appearing on the bench.
Lehmann said he found Wenger’s statement that he has three “world class” goalkeepers to choose from curious.
“Wenger spoke of three world class goalkeepers,” Lehmann said. “One of them must be me. The other two have proved their class by winning titles? If I think about that, I can’t recall any. I guess today you’re nevertheless world class.
“I’m convinced that I’ll be playing again. Almunia has not yet shown that he can win matches for us. I’ve experienced this situation before and know what the others are expecting from the goalkeeper. I can’t imagine he’ll be able to handle that.”
