Wenger confirms Jens is no.2

Arsene Wenger admits Jens Lehmann is no longer Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper after selecting Manuel Almunia for Saturday's match against Bolton. Lehmann suffered a minor injury in training on Friday, he was fit enough to play for the Gunners for the first time since August 19. However, it appears Arsene Wenger will keep faith in Manuel Almunia in goal and is his new first choice keeper.

"Almunia will play and I have decided to stick with the same team and keep the continuity going," Wenger said. "In my opinion we have three world class keepers and only one of them can play. I have got 25 players in the squad and they all expect to play."



Arsene Wenger admits Jens Lehmann is no longer Arsenal's first choice goalkeeper after selecting Manuel Almunia, seen here in September 2007, for Saturday's match against Bolton.

"The player (Lehmann) is disappointed but there is a lot of competition for places. He is an intelligent guy and knows what he has to do.

"He can go on the bench. But for tomorrow I have decided to leave him out completely.

"Jens is a world class keeper but I had to make the choice for the continuity of the side."

With Arsenal enjoying a superb start to the season, Wenger is unlikely to experience the sort of criticism currently being directed at England coach Steve McClaren.

Many England fans would be delighted to see Wenger replace McClaren but the Frenchman was quick to rule himself out of the running.

He said: "I am not a candidate. I can only repeat that. Anyway it would be disrespectful to be a candidate to replace a guy who is in the job and does a good job."

He believes the English Football Association should be strong enough to resist calls to sack McClaren because the side have been progressing under his leadership.

"They were unfortunate to lose the game," he said. "They have a few problems, but only minor problems in the national team. Overall in the recent games they were convincing.

"The timing to change the manager now would be very bad. It is difficult because the pressure from the media is very strong. That is why the FA needs to be very strong."