Arsenal veteran returns to action

Jens Lehmann has been named in the starting line-up for Arsenal reserves’ match against Wigan this afternoon.

The 41-year-old came out of retirement earlier this month to help ease the Gunners’ goalkeeping crisis after injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski left Manuel Almunia as the only fit senior stopper.

The former Germany international was on the bench for Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League clash against West Brom 10 days ago, where Almunia’s error allowed the relegation-threatened Baggies to come away with a point.

Lehmann will have a chance to persuade Arsene Wenger that he deserves to depose the Spaniard by impressing in his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt for three years during today’s clash at the Robin Park Arena, which kicks off at 2pm.

The last time Lehmann played for Arsenal was in May 2008 before he left the club for Stuttgart.

Jeremie Aliadiere, who is without a club after being released from Middlesbrough last summer, is also included in Neil Banfield’s starting XI and will lead the line for the Gunners’ second-string in the north west.