Football

Arsenal's German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann insisted on Wednesday he would not change his aggressive manner in dealing with opposing strikers despite being reported to the Football Association (FA) after the 1-0 win at Southampton. The 34-year-old former international was reported for throwing the football at Kevin Phillips after the final whistle at the end of Monday's match in what had been an ongoing dispute during the game.

Phillips had constantly challenged Lehmann during the clash trying to block his punts upfield and during one exchange at a corner had trod on the German's foot.

Lehmann, however, said being reported to the FA would not alter the way he played or his attitude.

"Arsenal bought me for the way I play, so I can't change," said the former Borussia Dortmund keeper, who was brought in last summer as a replacement for David Seaman.

"Of course I don't want to get booked but I have to protect myself because my game is to get out to crosses."

Lehmann said he was much more than a keeper adding he played like an extra sweeper.

Lehmann defended his actions by saying as the referee hadn't punished Phillips he had decided to take the law into his own hands - the referee Steve Dunn revealed after the match he had been unable to discipline the German because he had already blown the final whistle when the incident took place.

"Phillips pushed me in the back and was standing on my foot and you must be punished for that," said Lehmann.

"But we are football players and this is normal."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had downplayed the incident after the match.

"He (Lehmann) shouldn't have done it but I don't think he should be punished for it," said Wenger.

"I think he was frustrated many times and was hit a few times in the air.

"He's not used to that when he played in Germany."