Arsene Wenger has been spared having to make a potentially awkward decision over Jens Lehmann's place in the Arsenal side after the German international was ruled out of tomorrow's visit of Manchester City after succumbing to an Achilles injury.

Lehmann has made glaring errors in the Gunners' first two Premiership games of the season, presenting Fulham's David Healy with a goal 52 seconds into Arsenal's campaign and then allowing David Dunn's long-range shot to slip through his hands at Ewood Park last Sunday.

The injury will now present Manuel Almunia with a rare starting opportunity, although Wenger confirmed Lehmann remained his first choice.

Wenger remains in talks with the Arsenal board over a new contract and is close to signing improved terms to extend his stay for three years.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has given his 100 per cent backing to manager Martin Jol and has suggested finishing outside the top four of the Premier League will not necessarily result in the sack. In a chaotic week at Spurs, Jol has appeared on the brink after news of a meeting between club officials and Sevilla coach Juande Ramos emerged from Spain.

A subsequent meeting between Jol and board resulted in the Dutchman being given lukewarm backing from Levy after an "assessment" of the club's performance, but the chairman has now issued a statement giving his "100 per cent support".

Meanwhile, Tomasz Kuszczak could start for Manchester United against Spurs on Sunday as Alex Ferguson awaits news of a fitness report on Edwin van der Sar. The Dutchman failed to play any part in his country's friendly defeat to Switzerland in Geneva on Wednesday night after injuring his left foot in training.