Rami On Bench as Lehmann Falters

Rami On Bench as Lehmann Falters

Date: 6-1-2003
Wrote: EP's reporter Karem Ahmed

EXCLUSIVE: Rami Shaaban was selected on the substitutes bench behind German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann for Arsenal's 4-1 victory over Leeds United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on Sunday. This can be seen as a positive step and signals the player's return to full fitness.

returning.....

The game saw Leeds United take an early lead after 8 minutes, when a back-pass from Sol Campbell was controlled poorly on Lehmann's first touch, and his clearance came off Viduka and went into the net. On 18 minutes, Lehmann was able to redeem himself as he saved low from James Milner's shot after Keown's slip-up.

On 26 minutes, Arsenal were back level, when Henry volleyed home with his right-foot after a good cross from Ljungberg. With 32 minutes gone Edu put the Gunners into the lead, when he slid in to finish Henry's cross. Edu also had a shot blocked off the line after a good period of pressure from Arsenal.

In the second half Arsenal continued the pressure and never looked like being beaten. After a number of goalscoring opportunities were wasted, substitute Robert Pires scored the third for Arsenal with only 3 minutes left, finishing off Henry' pass well. Other substitute Kolo Toure made it four during stoppage time to give Arsenal a comfortable passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

After the game, German keeper Jens Lehmann told the club's official site, "I was relieved... I made a mistake, I estimated everything wrong and so I conceded a very stupid goal." He added, "Maybe I wasn't as sharp as I should have been but I did my best afterwards."

After the game, EP spoke to substitute for the night, Rami Shaaban.

EP: Congratulations on making the bench.

RS: I was very happy being there and that is another step in the right direction...

EP: Do you think that the manager is planning to return to the system he had last season whereby he gave you and Taylor (this time Stack) one game each on the bench?

RS: I don't know yet how he will organise us now that I'm fully fit...

EP: Are you happy with the situation currently, and so have no intentions to leave?

RS: Of course I would be more happy with the situation if I played rather than sitting on the bench, but 'one step at a time' is something I have learned during my injury period.

More on Rami soon...

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Read Egyptianplayers.com reports on Rami Shaaban in Professionals page 2
Read older reports on Rami in Rami Shaaban's page
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