I am not sure I understand Wenger´s latest comments on Jens Lehmann. He is basically saying that Lehmann lacks the sharpness to start in a Premiership game.
Apparently, our goalkeeping cover lacks decision-making and practice in goal. Which begs the question why was he brought in the first place. It seems Wenger did not expect Almunia to err again against West Brom and assumed that Lehmann will remain on the bench until the end of the season.
I know that two weeks ago Almunia played well against Barcelona and Lehmann was there just in case of an emergency. An emergency is a sending-off or a further injury to Almunia. At that point, Lehmann would have had to play. But if he lacks "decision-making in goal" then is he really a solution ?
And is it also an emergency when your stand-in keeper makes an absolute howler in a must-win game? I hope Wenger has not taken a gamble on Lehmann just on the basis that he will only sit on the bench - I am sure James Shea is more than able to do that !
I know it would not have made a difference had we signed both Given and Buffon in the transfer window - as if you have three keepers injured (Fabianski, Szczesny and Mannone) you would have been forced to make an emergency signing anyway.
And any keeper out there and who is available on such a deal means that he is not wanted by his club. The choice is not great but the least you can do is to go for someone who is fit enough.
