Champions League/CSKA Moscow v Arsenal: Arsene Wenger last night called for goalkeepers to receive more protection, as he is convinced Premiership managers have sent their teams out to "target" Jens Lehmann. The Arsenal manager's comments came ahead of tonight's Champions League Group G encounter in Moscow as Petr Cech convalesces from brain surgery following a skull fracture sustained in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday.
And although Lehmann has escaped serious injury, Wenger believes this is more by default than design. "It has been sometimes a clear strategy to upset Jens Lehmann," said Wenger. "That's been done in plenty of games, everyone can see that. It's just not good enough; we have to make sure that referees have enough in their locker to deal with the incidents."
Wenger "refuses to believe" the challenge that caused Cech's frightening injury was anything but an accident: it would be "criminal" if it were. Yet he is concerned about the frequency of serious incidents involving goalkeepers.
"I can't imagine a player will go in to try and hit another player on the head with his knee, because you know you can kill the player," said Wenger of Stephen Hunt's challenge on Cech. "But this year there have been four incidents - (Shay) Given, (Mark) Schwarzer, then you have Cech and Cudicini. It cannot be coincidence that suddenly you have four."
Lehmann was outraged at the injuries to his Chelsea counterparts, and felt Mike Riley's relaxed reaction to the incidents was a dereliction of duty. "It is a man's game, but these men have children and wives and their children don't want to see their fathers end up with lifelong damage, driven around in a wheelchair or not being able to work anymore," said the Germany international.
Lehmann has been central to Arsenal's tremendous Champions League record. He has been involved in just one defeat in the competition since February 2005, last season's final against Barcelona - and he was dismissed from that when the score was 0-0.
Arsenal could all but book their place tonight in the second phase of Champions League with a third straight group victory.
"We can go through, so this is a big game for us," said Wenger. "CSKA are a big opponent, they are dangerous up front and they have a few players in midfield who are very dangerous."
Arsenal travelled without the injured Freddie Ljungberg, Emmanuel Eboue and Julio Baptista, but fit-again full back Gael Clichy retains his place in the squad - although Wenger is unlikely to change the defence tonight.
Brazil under-19s captain Denilson is also included in the squad for the first time. The combative midfielder, 18, joined the club on transfer deadline day from his home-town club of Sao Paulo, and has had just one appearance for the reserves.
CSKA Moscow v Arsenal
Lokomotiv Stadium, 5.30
On TV: Setanta Sports
