No guarantees despite Lehmann return

Jens Lehmann will make his return to the Arsenal side for the first time in almost four months against Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday, but manager Arsene Wenger can offer the veteran German goalkeeper no guarantee over his future.

The 38-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since August 19 at Blackburn when he made a second high-profile error of the then fledgling season and will figure in the Champions League clash.

And Wenger revealed: "Lehmann will start in goal. His attitude has been fantastic and when you look at this man the one thing you cannot fault is he is a super professional. At the moment I expect him to play well on Wednesday. Jens' long-term future depends on, when you are 38, what you call a long-term future."

He added: "Jens is an example for everybody. For every goalkeeper it is good to practice, but at some stage you need to play at a competitive level.

"It is not a present. It is to keep him fit and competitive. If Jens plays well it does not create a problem. Why should it be a problem if a player plays well? It is a problem if he doesn't play well."

Wenger maintained: "For all of us the only target is to do well for the club - and we can only do that if we perform well."

However, when asked if he expected Lehmann to remain at Arsenal for the second half of the season, Wenger said: "I cannot guarantee [that], like for anybody else."

Arsenal have several players still on the treatment table, including key midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini.

However, striker Robin van Persie is set to make a welcome return after being out with a knee problem since October 7, and midfielder Abou Diaby has recovered from a back injury.

"Robin looks okay and will be in the squad," said Wenger. "I have not made a decision yet whether I will start him or not. But he should play some part."