Tomas Rosicky forgives Jens Lehmann for stealing decisive penalty in Arsenal legends victory over Real Madrid

It was supposed to be Tomas Rosicky’s fond farewell to the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal, scoring the winning penalty against a team of Real Madrid legends in front of the North Bank.

Unfortunately Jens Lehmann had other ideas.

Following a 0-0 draw in normal time of the Legends match, raising funds for the Arsenal Foundation, both sides went to a penalty shootout in which the Gunners’ fifth spot-kick would have assured them of a win.

Cult hero Rosicky, whose career was cruelly derailed by injury at Arsenal, stepped forward to take the spot-kick only to see Lehmann cut in front of him to take a penalty he rifled into the roof of the net.

Lerhman enjoyed a return to north London.
PA

Rosicky said jokingly: “Jens Lehmann stole it from me!

“I was alright with it, I’ve known Jens for a very long time, since Dortmund, so I was expecting something like that. He was very lucky [he scored].”

The German goalkeeper, whose exceptional shot-stopping had taken Arsenal to a shootout where he denied Alfonso Perez as his side won 5-3, saw things differently.

Lehmann told Standard Sport: “I didn’t know it was his turn. I thought it was my turn. It was a decent strike.”

It was not the first time this summer that Lehmann spoiled his former team-mate’s party.

In Rosicky’s testimonial Lehmann saved another penalty, though he did at least let the Czech legend’s son score a goal in that match.

Rosicky added: “This is why I know what I’m saying when I speak about him! I was expecting it from Jens. I don’t take it personally.”

In Pictures | Arsenal Legends vs Real Madrid Legends | 08/09/2018

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Lehmann may have mounted a case for the defence but the crucial witness proved to be manager for the day David O’Leary, who was particularly amused by the goalkeeper’s display of insubordination.

“Jens at the very end: I was ready to kill him,” O’Leary said. “I wanted Tomas to get the ball, to score. I can’t tell you what he told Tomas when he picked the ball up but he was quite adamant that he was going to take the last penalty.

“I was ready and waiting for him if he didn’t score but what a penalty. All he said to me inside was ‘well, what is the big deal’. We know what Jens is like. He’s got a presence about him.”

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