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Jens considering retirement
German keeper could hang up his gloves
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Lehmann: Considering retirement (Skysports.com)
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Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has hinted he could retire
after this summer's European Championship - but still believes he has
a part to play in the Gunners' end-of-season push for honours.
The Germany international has spent much of the season on the Arsenal
bench after losing his place to Manuel Almunia and he concedes he has
found it frustrating sitting on the sidelines.
However, the former Milan keeper remains confident his experience can
help Arsene Wenger's side as they attempt to win both the Premier League
and the UEFA Champions League.
After that, though, Lehmann appears to be contemplating bringing his playing
days to an end.
"I don't know what I will do after the summer," Lehmann told
Fifa.com."I will play the European Championships and then it depends
on whether I get a good offer. If I do, I might play on another two years,
and if not, I probably might retire.
Difficult
"It is very difficult (to be on the bench), very hard, particularly
when I see the performances on the pitch. Sometimes you have to accept
it - even after I played a couple of games and was dropped again."
The 38-year-old admits he came close to leaving for Borussia Dortmund
in January but opted to stay for both personal and professional reasons.
"I was very close (to leaving) but I stayed for several reasons.
My experience from AC Milan, who I left too early, was one thing, and
my family situation - I didn't want to take my kids out of school here.
There was also the belief that I still can win something here and be part
of it."
Friendship
The Germany shot-stopper admitted he does not enjoy a close relationship
with Almunia, claiming it is hard to maintain friendships at top-level
clubs.
"When you compete with some guys they can't separate the professional
aspect from the personal. So there is no big friendship (with Almunia)
but that does not worry me.
"You can have friendships in football in smaller clubs where you
know you have to stick together and you know that you are so dependent
on each other. In bigger clubs another guy comes in, delivers the same
quality and you don't care about the first guy any more.
"I socialised with Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg sometimes,
but right now when you look at the squad there is only Gilberto Silva
who is near my age and has children."
Skysports.com,
24th March 2008
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