Lehmann to retire

The 40-year-old, who currently plays for Stuttgart in the Budesliga, said that family concerns brought about the decision.

"That is what the family council has decided," he explained.

Lehmann won 61 caps for Germany and was the country's first choice keeper at the 2006 World Cup and also the 2008 European Championships.

However, he will be best remembered in England for his five-year spell with the Gunners.

Lehmann's best season came in 2003/2004 when he played every game in Arsenal's "invincible" season where they went the entire Premier League season unbeaten.

Lehmann also played for Borussia Dortmund, Schalke and AC Milan during his career.