4 of the best World Cup campaigns by Arsenal players

2. Jens Lehmann (Germany 2006)

Home comforts did not bring about quite the same fairy tale ending for ‘Mad Jens’ and the German team in 2006, but the Arsenal man still excelled between the sticks and was crucial to his side’s run to the semi-finals.

Although Lehmann was the first choice in north London and a celebrated member of the Invincibles, he was second in command to the legendary Oliver Kahn for Die Mannschaft and made his first start at a major tournament during the 18th edition of the World Cup; an opportunity he, quite literally, seized with both hands.

He made several fantastic saves and recorded three clean sheets during the finals, with his best showing taking place in a quarter-final penalty shootout win against Argentina.

Controversially guided by a ‘cheat sheet’ of the opposition’s spot-kick preferences, Lehmann guessed the right way for each penalty and managed to save two efforts to secure his nation’s place in the next round.

The hosts were later beaten in dramatic style by eventual champions Italy, and Kahn was reinstated for his farewell appearance in the third-place playoff. But Lehmann had done all he could for his side and his brilliant displays earned him a place in the 2006 World Cup All-Star Team.

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