Preview: Arsene Wenger insists Jens Lehmann still has plenty of time to break back into the Arsenal team before any decision needs to be made over his future at the club.
Lehmann has been overtaken in the pecking order by Manuel Almunia and he missed out again in midweek.
Wenger shuffled his pack for the Champions League draw with Slavia Prague, making eight changes, but there was still no place for Lehmann. The German international signed a new 12-month deal earlier this year but will be free to talk to other clubs in January.
Asked whether he was prepared to risk that Wenger said: "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 per cent professional."
Lehmann has not played for Arsenal since August 19th, when he allowed David Dunn's 25-yard strike slip through his hands as Blackburn earned a 1-1 draw.
He turned 38 on Saturday but Wenger said: "Jens doesn't want any presents. Jens wants to play because he thinks he is the best keeper.
"It makes it worse to put him in and out again. He has done nothing wrong. Almunia has been in the team and the team is doing well. It is as simple as that."
Almunia is set to continue in goal in tonight's Premier League clash with Reading at the Madejski Stadium but Wenger will bring back a number of players who missed the draw with Slavia Prague.
Tomas Rosicky and Kolo Toure are both fit again after shrugging off injuries while Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb, who were rested in midweek, are also set for a return.
"I will change things around. I left out eight players at Slavia and they are all capable to play again," said Wenger.
Arsenal have put together an unbeaten run of 26 matches and while the expectation is for Wenger to deliver silverware, Reading manager Steve Coppell is under a different kind of pressure.
Wenger is full of praise for Coppell's achievements with Reading last season and he backed the Royals to retain their Premier League status again.
"Last year they did beyond expectations and this year I think they will do it again and stay in the league. And if he (Coppell) can keep Reading in the Premier League for 10 years then he will be the manager there," said Wenger.
Reading midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson may be given the difficult task by his manager of man-marking Fabregas, who is playing the best football of his career.
Defender Michael Duberry is unlikely to feature after cracking ribs in last week's 3-1 defeat at Fulham so Ivar Ingimarsson stands by for a recall.
Winger John Oster is available again following an ankle injury.
Reading v Arsenal Venue: Madjeski Stadium Kick-off: Tonight, 8.0 On TV: Setanta Sports 1.
