[goldenHuddlestone]

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has admitted that his frustrations can get the better of him as he sits on the sidelines at the Emirates. Andreas Köpke, meanwhile, has told Lehmann his spot at Euro 2008 is not guaranteed.

German goalkeeer Jens Lehmann says he gets angry having to sit on the bench for Arsenal and watch Manuel Almunia take the spot in the Gunners' goal.

The 38-year-old former Schalke and Dortmund man lost his place to the young Spanish keeper early this season and has started just one game since August.


Talking to Kicker magazine, Lehmann admitted that it sometimes gets a little too much to bear, blaming Arsene Wenger for giving Almunia different treatment.

"My coach confirmed my impression that he uses a different measuring stick to evaluate Almunia," said the German international. "For me this was a disappointment. It's very frustrating.


"When I see the performances on the field, I get angry and I have to clench my fist in my pocket," Lehmann revealed, nevertheless indicating that he would be prepared to remain in England and fight for his place at the Emirates.


But Germany's goalkeeping coach, Andreas Köpke, has warned that Lehmann is not guaranteed to be his country's first choice at Euro 2008.

"It is too premature to say in December who will be the goalkeeper for the tournament," said Köpke, who kept goal for Germany's successful Euro 96 campaign, to the Süddeutsche Zeitung. "We want to continue to monitor the situation in terms of injuries and level of performance.

"All that [manager] Joachim Löw said is if the European Championships started this weekend the three goalkeepers he would pick would be Lehmann, (Timo) Hildebrand and (Robert) Enke," continued the coach, adding: "We are surprised by the interpretation of his comments."