Interview

Jens - I thought I was meant to take the penalty!

It was a moment that was pure Jens Lehmann.

As Tomas Rosicky stepped forward to take the penalty that could win the game for Arsenal Legends against Real Madrid, our goalkeeper had other ideas.

Lehmann took the ball, put it on the spot and crashed it into the roof of the net to win the game. But what exactly happened?

This is what Jens told Arsenal Media:

on whether he was down to take a penalty…

I thought so, yes! I was one of the fitter guys so I was supposed to take one.

on whether he’s ever taken a penalty before…

Yes (and I scored), it was 27 years ago!

on whether he was down to start the game....

No, I was a little later and Seaman was down to play and then he hurt his calf so then I played.

on the team’s performance…

It’s a big effort from the guys to play 90 minutes because to play 90 minutes again when you don’t do it, it’s massive! I’m only a goalkeeper so I’m standing around a little bit and getting cold, so it was alright.

on the crowd…

Yes, I really enjoyed the crowd. I don’t know how many came to see the game and support the game, but it was fantastic. Even if we had lost, just people coming to watch us is fantastic.