Jens Lehmann returns to inspire Arsenal

The German keeper returns to Arsenal hoping his experience can steer Arsenal to the title.

Jens Lehmann will be shouting orders to his Arsenal teammates once again, but from the bench as a back-up to No 1 goalie Manuel Almunia.

Jens Lehmann hopes some of his "Invincibles" aura can rub off on Arsenal's young squad as they look to finish the season on a high by landing the Premier League title.

In the wake of an injury crisis that left the goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone in the treatment room, Lehmann, 41, was invited to return by Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger on a monthly contract.

Lehmann is set to provide experienced back-up to Manuel Almunia, whom he duelled for the No 1 jersey before leaving in 2008. He will be on the bench at West Bromwich Albion today.

The former German international certainly carries impressive credentials - he played in every game during Arsenal's 38-match unbeaten run to the title in 2003/2004. He also lifted the 2005 FA Cup and helped the team reach the Champions League final in the following season, where he was famously sent off after just 18 minutes.

Lehmann hopes to help the squad in any way he can as they look to recover from the bitter disappointment of defeat in the Carling Cup final at Wembley that was followed by crashing out of both Europe and the FA Cup.

"In terms of experience, I am still good, so I need to give that to the young lads," Lehmann told Arsenal TV Online. "I hope we will be successful in getting the trophy, to give that extra bit of conviction to the players. That is why I am here and why the boss has asked me to come."

Lehmann had retired following two seasons back in Germany with Stuttgart and was working as a media analyst in the Nou Camp.

It was the finger injury to Szczesny that led to Arsenal's call.

"When Szczesny went out, I crossed my fingers for Manuel to do well, and he had a great game, but it never occurred to me that there was a lack of goalkeepers which could end with a request for me," Lehmann said. "I got a text when I got back from Barcelona, it was [goalkeeper coach] Gerry Peyton, and at first I did not recognise it because I was very tired. Then on the second text I realised he wanted me to get my gloves out again."