Wenger looks to avoid bust-up with Lehmann

English Premier League:Arsène Wenger has been saluted for his achievements at Arsenal with the creation of a bronze bust in his likeness.

The honour, however, appears to sit somewhat uncomfortably. "I would like it to be more muscular," he joked. "Like Schwarzenegger."

The Frenchman is touched by the thought, of course, but he does not care for the past, only the future. As if to reinforce the point yesterday, he declared that Jens Lehmann, his erstwhile first-choice goalkeeper, would remain out of the side for the visit of Bolton Wanderers today. Manuel Almunia, the long-standing deputy, keeps his place and Wenger will not ask Lehmann to sit on the bench.

"The bust is a very nice gesture but it will not change my attitude in any way," said the manager. "I know what is important is not what is behind me but what is in front of me. It's like a player saying, 'For what I have done for this club, I deserve to play now'. It's not true. You deserve to play for your performance in the last game and I deserve to be in charge for my performance in the last game."

Lehmann's last performance for Arsenal was at Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on August 19th. He allowed David Dunn's shot to slip through his fingers for the equaliser, one week after his miskick had presented Fulham's David Healy with a simple goal.

Although he subsequently played for Germany against England at Wembley, Wenger cited an achilles injury as the reason for his absence against Manchester City on August 25th.

Lehmann has since had treatment for an elbow problem. He did play for Germany against Wales on September 8th but he was categoric about his fitness last Saturday, after playing another 90 minutes for his country against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. "I am fully fit and I expect to be back against Bolton," he said. "I am here now and I expect him (Wenger) to play me, so no worries."

He has returned from the international break to unpalatable news, however. The 37-year-old is a notoriously combustible character, not renowned for his patience - "It is not his first quality," admitted Wenger - and the decision to leave him out of the match-day squad, putting Lukasz Fabianski on the bench, has been taken with peacekeeping in mind.

"Jens can be on the bench; I decided (for Bolton) to leave him completely out," said Wenger. "You don't want to make a case of anyone; you respect every player. Unfortunately you cannot please every player and if he has to sit on the bench he will sit on the bench."

Lehmann has heard his international coach, Joachim Loew, state Germany's starting goalkeeper for next summer's European Championship must have playing minutes in club football behind him. Lehmann is increasingly anxious, particularly because Timo Hildebrand, his international understudy, has established himself ahead of Santiago Canizares at Valencia. Loew suggested Lehmann might consider his options in December before the opening of the winter transfer window. Almunia has been solid and believes he merits an extended run, and Lehmann has attracted interest from a host of German clubs and Manchester City.

"I want Jens to play in the European Championship but I can only make the decisions I think are right for Arsenal," said Wenger. "I wouldn't be scared to play Jens but I cannot consider that. Jens . . . will fight every day to be back in the team, but I have three world-class keepers at the moment and only one can play. In our job you always need to fight hard and cope with any situation. Jens has to do that and he is strong enough to do that."

Arsenal are on top of the table, having dropped points only at Blackburn, and a feature of their start has been Wenger's refusal to bow to the demands of star names ahead of in-form players. In central midfield Mathieu Flamini continues to keep out Gilberto, the Brazil captain.

Wenger will have to make one change today, as Robin van Persie begins up to six weeks out after damaging his knee playing for Holland in midweek. Eduardo da Silva, the summer signing, will get his chance.

"It is time for him," said Wenger. "He looks sharp again, after being injured a bit. When you come from the Croatian championship to the English Premier League, it's like you go on the motorway from a walkway."

• Guardian Service