Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann believes that even if the Gunners are to lose captain Cesc Fabregas during the summer, they will still be title contenders next season.

Speaking before the kick-off of the World Cup Finals, the now-retired 40-year old explained that it would be a huge blow for Arsenal if Barcelona succeed in taking the 23-year old away from London but added that if a player wants to leave, one simply cannot force him to stay.

As for the title race, with or without the Spaniard, the Gunners will still be up there with the best of English football, especially since Arsene Wenger would find a proper replacement for the captain.

Lehmann, who joined the Gunners in 2003 to replace David Seaman, was in goal for the Invincibles and according to many he is yet to be replaced adequately after his departure from London, with Manuel Almunia first and now Lukasz Fabianski not really providing enough confidence to the Arsenal backline.

On the Spaniard, the German admitted that he saw very little of him last season but did see him against Barcelona at the Emirates, game in which he was simply superb in the first half.

Lehmann said:

Of course, it would be a disappointment for the Arsenal fans and the club [if Fabregas was to leave] because he was the main man during recent years.

But you have to move on as a club and if players want to move, you can’t force them to stay.

I think Arsene Wenger will find a good replacement if he leaves – probably some more matured players – and they will be up for the title again.

To be honest, I did not follow Arsenal that closely but I did see Almunia’s performance against Barcelona and it was absolutely world class for me. But I can’t really judge because I did not see the rest of the season.