By Tim Robertson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer


With Arsenal already out of the title race, there was a danger that this Sunday's grudge match against Chelsea would be missing some of its usual edge.

Jens Lehmann wasn’t going to allow that.

The Gunners goalkeeper has stoked up tensions between the two rivals this week by telling ex-Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole he deserves to be booed by his former fans when he turns out for Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.

Cole’s summer move to West London left a bad taste in Arsenal mouths. First there were accusations of tapping-up against Chelsea, and then Cole wrote an autobiography in which he claimed the Gunners had “betrayed” him with their offer of a new contract worth £55,000 a week.

That is sure to mean Cole is singled out for special treatment by the Arsenal fans who take the short tube ride across London this weekend.

And he’ll get no sympathy from his former teammate Lehmann, who is no stranger to the negative emotions of opposing fans.

"Of course Ashley should expect criticism from supporters on Sunday. He should get criticism. That is football. It makes the game exciting," he said.

"If he didn't it would have meant that he wasn't an important player, but he was. He was a vital member of our squad and we enjoyed some major successes with him.

"So obviously he should expect some negative emotions when he plays against Arsenal.”

Lehmann, who is never far from a clash with an opponent, insists he personally has nothing against Cole.

"You can't really blame him for the decision he made,” he added. “That's life. He's a nice lad and a very good player."

Lehmann can expect to have a busy afternoon. The WagerWeb.com odds already favour Chelsea (-138) on their home ground – where they are yet to lose this season – especially as a cripping Arsenal injury list is taken into account.

The absence of talisman Thierry Henry is only the start of Arsene Wenger’s problems this weekend. Also missing is Tomas Rosicky, but the real problems lie in defense where Philippe Senderos is the only fully-fit centre-half available.
Kolo Toure is suspended, William Gallas – who joined Arsenal in the Cole deal – is expected to miss out with a thigh problem, and youngster Johan Djourou is struggling with a hamstring problem sustained in Wednesday’s goals draw with Porto in the Champions League.

"William Gallas is a big question mark, Johan Djourou is a small question mark," Wenger said. "All that will be assessed Friday morning or Saturday morning at the latest.

"I'm reasonably optimistic for Djourou and a little bit less for Gallas.”

Such a depleted backline will be music to the ears of Chelsea’s under-pressure striker Andriy Shevchenko.

The Ukraine international scored in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Levski Sofia but still needs Premiership goals if he is to begin to justify his £30 million transfer fee from AC Milan.

The strike against Levski should have been perfect preparation, but Shevchenko has spent the latter half of the week once again deflecting speculation about his future.

The belief is that the decision to sign Shevchenko was made by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, and not manager Jose Mourinho.

Based on that theory, stories have spread that Shevchenko does not feel at home in Mourinho’s system and he was quoted this week as saying he was open to a return to the San Siro.

However, he denied that on Thursday, insisting he wanted to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

"I give 100% all the time and I am committed and hungry for success with Chelsea," the 30-year-old said. "I have total respect for the Chelsea club and fans as well as for football in England and the culture of the country.

"There are always good and not so good moments in sport, that's normal. If that means there is opinion and criticism, I respect that."

If he can find the net on Sunday, Chelsea jibes aimed at Lehmann will drown out anything aimed at Cole.



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