Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must organise behind-closed-doors games to get Jens Lehmann up to required match fitness.
The Daily Mail says the manager was desperate for the 41-year-old to turn out for the Gunners' second string against Liverpool last Wednesday night.
But the veteran goalkeeper did not arrive at the club's London Colney training ground to pick up his contract until Tuesday afternoon before flying back to Germany later that day. He arrived back in London on Thursday.
Lehmann has not played senior football since turning out for Stuttgart in their 1-1 draw at Hoffenheim on May 8, 2010.
