Lehmann may drop to second flight

LONDON, England -- Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is so desperate to play in Euro 2008 that he would consider leaving Premier League giants Arsenal to play second-flight football.

Lehmann has been warned by national coach Joachim Low that he must play first team football in the build up to next summer's championship after losing his place as Arsenal first choice to Manuel Almunia.

"Given what the Germany coach says, I will have to see how things are in December," Lehmann told Germany's Kicker magazine.

"I definitely want to play at Euro 2008. Playing there has always been my aim.

"The Bundesliga is always attractive and is an option, and maybe the German second division is too," he said.

Lehmann, 38, has not altogether given up hope of dislodging Spaniard Almunia.

"The situation is as it is. It is only important what the manager decides and I am using this phase to train intensively every day.

"The manager knows I am highly motivated. I would like to play again soon and expect that I will do. "I would be very surprised if that was not the case," he added.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been made fully aware of Lehmann's plight but is keen to keep the German as his team battle for the English title.

"If the situation is still like this in January we will see. We are still in November. November and December is plenty of time to win his place back.

"He is up for the challenge because he is 200% professional," Wenger said. E-mail to a friend