Wenger: door not closed on Lehmann

ARSÈNE WENGER insists the “door is not closed” on veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann at Arsenal despite continued interest from Borussia Dortmund.

The 38-year-old German — out of contract in the summer — looks set for a rare appearance in the FA Cup third round tie at Burnley tomorrow.

Lehmann lost his place as Arsenal’s number one to Spaniard Manuel Almunia after a couple of high-profile errors and a spell out injured.

Wenger admits he would not stand in Lehmann’s way should he be offered regular football away from Emirates Stadium, with the German keen to cement his place in the national team ahead of Euro 2008.

Dortmund, whom Lehmann left in 2003 having won the Bundesliga, lead the chase as they seek to replace injured Roman Weidenfeller. General manager Hans-Joachim Watzke said he was “carefully optimistic”.

But Wenger said: “The door is not closed for Jens, but we have not reached any agreement. I do not even believe he has made his mind up.

“When I extended Jens’ contract, I opened the door for him that if he does not play and has a chance to play in the European Championship, then I wouldn’t stop him leaving in January.”

Lehmann was clearly unimpressed after being left on the bench following his return to full fitness late last year, declaring the saga a “humiliation”.

Wenger, though, continued to praise the veteran as a “super professional”.

The Frenchman said: “He still thinks he should play, and I respect that.

“He does his job 100% and does not talk too much. That is what he does.”

Wenger, though, maintains he has to be “cautious” over allowing any players to leave during the January transfer window, especially with Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song away during the African Nations Cup.