Jens to stay? JET better off at Arsenal

Jens - might not be leaving

Skytext is carrying quotes from Jens Lehmann about his future. The key point made by Lehmann is that he wants to complete his coaching qualifications and then take a job in England. Given the fact that all of our goalkeepers (and I include Szczesny) seem to be afflicted by the same problems I would suggest that a job at Arsenal might not be out of the question. As well as the long-term plans of the German legend he makes the point that he might not yet be finished as a player as he "...can do it still. It is not forgotten." The quotes come from an interview with German newspaper Bild.
Jens is 41, but I don't see a problem with him being put on a player/coach contract and being engaged as the third choice goalkeeper at Arsenal. I think we all know that Almunia and Mannone are not up to it. I would add Fabianski to that pair also, and it is unlikely that the older Pole would be willing to hang around as understudy to his compatriot. I would be quite happy to see all three shipped out and an experienced, good quality keeper brought in to act as the immediate cover for (or to compete with) Szczesny.

I watched Cardiff City v Reading last night. I wasn't disappointed to see Reading win 3-0, and would be very happy if the Royals got promoted back to the Premier League. Reading's ground is a nice place to watch football, and very easy to get to from my part of the World.
Cardiff had much of the early play, without much goal threat, and most of that pressure stemmed from their left, where Arsenal's Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was stationed. In recent weeks JET had spent a little too much time on the bench, but he has started both play-off matches. Trailing 2-0 at half-time Cardiff had to really go for it in the second-half, but no real onslaught ensued. However, they did have two chances, both of which fell to Emmanuel-Thomas. Unfortunately he was guilty of at least one bad miss, though why Dave Jones chose to substitute him I really can't understand. When Jay went off Cardiff created nothing further for the rest of the game. Reading cruised through the remainder of the match following his departure from the field.
I have often wondered how much use a loan spell in the lower divisions is for our better prospects. I would suggest it's no coincidence that Jack Wilshere went to a Premier League side for the last part of his education before making it in to the Arsenal team. Cardiff's treatment of JET makes me think that the lad would have been far better off back at Arsenal, or at another Premier League team. I would make the same comment about Henri Lansbury, who spent the last six weeks on Norwich's bench. Whenever these boys play they look so much better at football than everyone else on the pitch, so why have them at a level below their ability?

Another loanee, Benik Afobe, should be in action for Huddersfield tonight, so good luck to him - the game is live on Sky.