The Frenchman said after the game: “It was a farewell and I wanted him to have a chance to say goodbye to the fans, that we respect him for what he has done for us. Jens was 100 per cent professional, if not always an easy character. In all his time here, I have not known Jens to not be fully committed for a single minute. That deserves a lot of respect.

“He was the best keeper in the Premier League. He reads the game well, he is brave and had all the assets to come into the Premier League, because he is not frightened of anybody. Jens has become better and better, because at the start he was a bit upset easily sometimes, when people walked on his toes at corners. But he got more controlled through his career. Jens was 38 this year, and at some stage in a club like ours you have to make a decision to change.”

Lehmann has made 199 appearances for the Gunners since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2003.

Photo: Gety Images

The 24-year-old is expected to undergo a medical at the San Siro on Monday. Despite the offer of a new five-year deal from Arsenal, Flamini’s future remains unresolved and both AC Milan and Juventus are reported to have been tracking the France international.

Following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Everton on Sunday, the Gunners’ last home game of the season, Wenger conceded that he was not “super-confident” Flamini would still be with the club next season.

“Frankly, I don’t know [if he is staying],” said Wenger. “But if you ask me was I overall super-confident, I would say no. He has an offer on the table which is valid until tomorrow [Monday], then we will see. We have done what we had to do, it is now down to him to make a decision. My ideal solution is that he stays, so I am not happy if he goes – but we’ve done everything we can. We can’t wait until July. You could lose players if they come on the market.”

Meanwhile, Milan club owner Silvio Berlusconi has cast fresh doubt over the potential signing of Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

“I have always been doubtful over whether Ronaldinho is needed, at this point I really think we don’t need him,” he said.

The Italian club has agreed terms with the 28-year-old Brazilian playmaker but failed to settle on a mutually satisfactory transfer fee with Barcelona during preliminary talks.

If I were a sports betting man, I wouldn’t bet on Ronaldinho coming to Milan.

Photo: Getty Images

“It is a nice compliment,” he said. “But, for the moment, there is nothing. Who are we going to sign? It has not been decided yet. I have a list where there is a number one, a number two, a number three and a number four for each position we want to strengthen. We have money, just not as much as the papers say because that is not true.”

Photo: Getty Images

“We will continue to play the way we do but better, the trophies will come,” he said. “The main target is to keep the team together. They are absolutely amazing.”

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is behind his Manager as he says that the Gunners will come out fighting next season. Adebayor, who has now scored 20 goals for Arsenal, said “Arsene is a great man and a great manager. He has achieved a lot of things with this club. For sure he is going to be here. He has a vision to bring a lot of good players to this club like Alex Hleb, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Cesc Fabregas and William Gallas. They are his players. So, for sure, we will win something, no doubt about that.”

Arsenal are now nine points behind leaders Manchester United and three points behind Chelsea, having played a game more than Chelsea, and with just four fixtures remaining. A disappointed Wenger hinted that certain decisions which went against Arsenal at Old Trafford highlighted a recent trend, but was keen to stress the pride he felt in a team which were controversially knocked out of the Champions League by Liverpool in midweek.

Overall, I am very proud of my team’s performance,” he said. “We had to be exceptionally strong after the Liverpool game – and we were. I feel the difference between success and failure is very little. We do not feel there is much between ourselves, United and Chelsea when it comes to technical ability and quality. So it is difficult to accept we will not win the title. I want to win trophies and it is sad we cannot win a trophy this season. On the other hand, I feel we have done a lot for the Premier League this season by the way we have promoted it.”

Arsenal needed to win at Old Trafford to start clawing back the Premier League leader’s six-point advantage but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty cancelled out Adebayor’s opener before Owen Hargreaves grabbed the winner to effectively end Arsenal’s hopes. Hargreaves’ free-kick came after Gilberto had been punished for a challenge on Patrice Evra while Ronaldo’s penalty was awarded following a handball by William Gallas.

“Those two decisions made it difficult for us but overall we have to take it,” Wenger said. “With the penalty you can give it or not give it. As for the free-kick I do not think Gilberto touched Evra.”

Photo: Getty Images