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Lehmann plays for Gunners' second string

Veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann returned to action for Arsenal for the first time in almost three years with a run-out for the reserves on Tuesday in their 2-1 defeat at Wigan.The former Germany international came out of retirement to help ease the Gunners' goalkeeping crisis after injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski left Manuel Almunia as the only fit senior keeper.Lehmann's last appearance for the Gunners came against Everton on May 4, 2008 ahead of a move to Stuttgart. But in front of goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton, he was beaten in the 18th minute when Jordan Robinson got on the end of a free-kick by Daniel Redmond, only to be ruled offside.Arsenal's young side were reduced to 10 men when skipper Ignasi Miguel was sent off before Jordan Rugg's shot got the better of Lehmann but came back off the post. Lehmann was left red-faced a minute before half-time when he miscued a kick from a back-pass, but the ball trickled past the post.He came off second best in the 52nd minute, though, when Callum McManaman put the home side ahead, showing a cool head to outsmart his more experienced opponent. Lehmann got his bearings wrong on the hour and Jonathan Breeze smashed in a shot past the goalkeeper only to see it blocked.Joe Holt added a second in the 83rd minute from close range before Rhys Murphy pulled one back from the penalty spot on the stroke of full-time.

Transfer News: Fabregas staying at Arsenal; Sneijder set for Manchester United

According to reports Barcelona will not be making a big-money move for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas this summer.

The Spanish giants have a long-held interest in bringing their former youth player back to the Camp Nou but have been put off by Arsene Wenger's reluctance to sell his star player.

The Catalan club had two bids rejected last summer, the second believed to be around £35 million, but are unwilling to match the Gunners' £43m valuation. Fabregas has indicated that he'd like to return to his boyhood club but unless he hands in a written transfer request then a deal looks increasingly unlikely.

While Barca look like they won't be spending big when the transfer window opens, the same can't be said for Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on freshening up his squad, with a number of central midfielders on his wishlist. The Scot is hopeful of securing a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes, with Blackpool's Charlie Adam, Everton's Jack Rodwell and Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder all under considersation.

A move for the Dutchman looks most likely as Fergie looks for an experienced player to go straight into his starting XI.

Fernando Torres warns Cesc Fabregas over proposed summer switch to Barcelona

Fernando Torres has told Cesc Fabregas to prepare himself for a backlash if he quits Arsenal for Barcelona having seen himself go from hero to zero on Merseyside after quitting Liverpool for Chelsea in January. Fabregas has made no secret of his desire to return to Catalan and the Gunners midfielder remains a top target for Pep Guardiola. Like Torres, the Gunners talisman faces the dilemma of upsetting Arsenal supporters should he return to Spain. Barcelona calling: Cesc Fabregas has made no secret of his desire to rejoin his first club And Torres admitted: 'Everyone has their own story but from what I've read Cesc is grateful to [Arsene] Wenger and Arsenal. But if you leave, you have to get wet. In the end, when you leave, you're alone. Football is very hypocritical in this regard.' However, Torres insists his international team-mate should not let the fact he is idolised at the Emirates stand in his way of a move to the Nou Camp. 'You have to give yourself the chance to make the step,' said the 27-year-old - who is yet to score for Chelsea since his ?50million switch. Sit down protest: Fernando Torres is still struggling to find his form following the controversial switch in January 'If you are lucky, then your club will help you, this is what happened at Atletico Madrid [when I left for Liverpool]. I knew people at Atletico and had good personal relations. But at Liverpool there were problems. 'Javier Mascherano did many good things for Liverpool but they did not treat him well when he left. 'It is a complicated situation when you leave a club but footballers always want to move forward, chase what he believes is better, because we only have eight or 10 good years.' Barca president Sandro Rossell insists the Spanish club will not break the bank to sign Fabregas this summer - despite admitting Guardiola is keen to snare the Gunners midfielder. And Torres placed further question marks over Barca's mooted move for Fabregas. He said: 'Whether Cesc would improve Barcelona is a question for Guardiola. I don't follow the Spanish League much but I think Barca is a tough team to improve. 'If Cesc goes, which player comes off? Of course, he would be a great signing - in England he is regarded as one of the best three players in the country. He would do well at Barca but it would be very difficult to improve their level.'   Cesc Fabregas could be denied dream Barcelona move as Spanish giants insist they will not pay monster feeInjured Arsenal skipper Fabregas out to return 'fitter than ever' next monthMartin Samuel: Dark days when the Premier League stars fail to shineAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres Places: Liverpool, Barcelona, Spain, United Kingdom

Arsenal set to rival Manchester United for Germany No 1 Manuel Neuer to solve keeper crisis

Arsene Wenger will look to solve Arsenal's goalkeeping concerns by launching a summer move for Germany No 1 Manuel Neuer. The Gunners have been dogged by goalkeeping headaches in recent seasons and Wenger has earmarked the Schalke shot-stopper as the man he wants to bring stability to the problem position. Arsenal have tracked Neuer for over a year and Sportsmail has learned Wenger contemplated a move last summer but opted to pursue Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina instead. Safe hands: Germany's No 1 Manuel Neuer is set to leave Schalke this summer But the Gunners got nowhere near Liverpool's ?20million valuation and the decision not to buy a new keeper may have arguably cost Arsenal a chance of silverware. Wenger has instructed the club's European scouts to keep a close eye on Neuer's progress this season with a view to a summer move and the Frenchman is finally preparing to firm up his interest after another season of inconsistency between the posts. Questionable: Arsenal are in something of a goalkeeper crisis The emergence of Wojciech Szczesny has eased Wenger's goalkeeping dilemma to a degree. But with Manuel Almunia's time at the club drawing to a close after a string of high profile errors and Lukasz Fabianski still to prove himself, Wenger has made a new keeper a priority. Wenger wants genuine competition for the gloves next season and has identified Neuer as the man he wants to battle it out with Szczesny. Neuer has been valued at ?22million by Schalke but Wenger is confident of lowering the Germans' asking price. The Gunners will face stiff competition for Neuer with Manchester United and Bayern Munich also keen on the 24-year-old.  Blow for Fergie as Schalke stopper Neuer turns down move to Old Trafford Top 10 sports videos of the week: Man United target Neuer drops a clangerMan United favourites to land Neuer after Germany No 1 is taunted by Bayern Munich fansAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Pepe Reina Places: Liverpool

Arsenal fans have voted Andrey Arshavin's strike against West Brom as our March Goal of the Month.

The Russian playmaker threw the Gunners a lifeline with 20 minutes left at the Hawthorns on March 19 when he instantly controlled Marouane Chamakh's short pass and slammed a shot into the far corner.

Within seven minutes Robin van Persie had completed the comeback to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.


Andrey's effort won our official monthly poll by a landslide, receiving 70 per cent of the votes cast.


Gael Clichy's first goal in an Arsenal home game finished second - the French left back finished in style against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.


And Nicklas Bendtner's fine solo effort in the same game shared third place with Barcelona's Sergio Busquets, whose own goal briefly gave the Gunners hope in the Nou Camp.

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Internationals: Fourteen Gunners called up

Fourteen members of the Arsenal first team have been called up by their countries for the upcoming international fixtures.

Arsenal.com will bring you a digest of all the games featuring the Gunners.


Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna
Luxembourg v France, March 25
France v Croatia, March 29
Bacary Sagna, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy have all been called up to Laurent Blanc’s France squad. Les Bleus travel to Luxembourg for a Euro 2012 Group D qualifier on Friday before hosting Croatia in a friendly in Paris on Tuesday.


Aaron Ramsey
Wales v England, March 26
Wales v Scotland, March 29
Aaron Ramsey has been called up to the Wales squad for games against England and Scotland in Cardiff. The Arsenal midfielder has not featured for his country since suffering a double leg break in February 2010 but will join up with Gary Speed’s squad ahead of their Euro 2012 Group G qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. Wales then host Scotland in the Nations Cup on Wednesday.


Robin van Persie
Hungary v Netherlands, March 25
Netherlands v Hungary, March 29
Robin van Persie has been called up by coach Bert van Marwijk for Holland’s upcoming Euro 2012 Group E double-header against Hungary. The World Cup finalists travel to Budapest on Friday before hosting the Hungarians in Amsterdam on Tuesday.



Tomas Rosicky
Spain v Czech Republic, March 25
Czech Republic v Liechtenstein, March 29
Tomas Rosicky has been called up to the Czech Republic squad for two Euro 2012 Group I qualifiers. The Czechs travel to Granada to face Spain on Friday before hosting Liechtenstein in Ceske Budejovice on Tuesday.


Nicklas Bendtner
Norway v Denmark, March 26
Slovakia v Denmark, March 29
Nicklas Bendtner has been called up to the Denmark squad for the upcoming international period. Morten Olsen’s team travel to Oslo for a Euro 2012 Group H qualifier on Saturday and then go to Trnava for a friendly on Tuesday.


Andrey Arshavin
Armenia v Russia, March 26
Qatar v Russia, March 29
Andrey Arshavin has been called up to the Russia squad for Saturday’s Euro 2012 Group B qualifier against Armenia in Yerevan. Arshavin and Russia then travel to Doha for a friendly against Qatar on Tuesday.



Jack Wilshere
Wales v England, March 26
England v Ghana, March 29
Jack Wilshere has been called up to Fabio Capello’s England squad for internationals against Wales and Ghana. England travel to Cardiff for a Euro 2012 Group G qualifier on Saturday before hosting Ghana in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday.


Henri Lansbury and Kieran Gibbs
Denmark U21 v England U21, March 24
England U21 v Iceland U21, March 28
Kieran Gibbs and Henri Lansbury have been called up to the England Under-21 squad for friendlies against Denmark and Iceland. Stuart Pearce’s side travel to Viborg on Thursday before hosting Iceland at Deepdale, Preston on Monday.


Marouane Chamakh
Algeria v Morocco, March 27
Morocco v Botswana, March 30
Marouane Chamakh has been called up to the Morocco squad for the upcoming international period. Eric Gerets’ squad travel to Annaba for an African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday before hosting Botswana in a friendly on Wednesday.


Emmanuel Eboue
Ivory Coast v Benin, March 26
Emmanuel Eboue has been called up to the Ivory Coast squad for Saturday’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin in Accra.


Carlos Vela
Mexico v Paraguay, March 26
Mexico v Venezuela, March 29
Carlos Vela has been called up to the Mexico squad for friendlies against Paraguay and Venezuela in America. Mexico face Paraguay in Oakland on Saturday before meeting Venezuela in San Diego on Tuesday.