Jens Lehmann admits two months out in the Highbury cold inspired him to become a Champions League hero.

Lehmann was the star of Arsenal's win over Real Madrid, with a stunning save to deny Raul as the Gunners protected their one-goal lead from the first leg.

But, little over a year ago, the big German looked to be on his way out of the club when he lost his first team place to Manuel Almunia for 10 games.

Lehmann said: "It was a good experience. I was sad to sit outside the team but I had a very good experience.

"These things can happen and it could happen again if I don't focus.

"In my whole football life I have improved. It would be quite disappointing not to play better than last year, for example, or two years ago. It's about development. It's the same with any job.

"The longer you are doing it, the more you improve and the more perfect you want to become."

Lehmann, 36, is now just one game away from equalling AC Milan's Champions League record of seven successive clean sheets.

He kept Real Madrid's array of attacking talent at bay for 180 minutes with the help of a defence with an average age of 22 to book a place in tomorrow's quarter-final draw.

Lehmann said: "It is an incredible achievement to keep two clean sheets against Real Madrid with such a young defence.

"As a footballer you live for these moments with the crowd behind you, the audience excited and the tension on the pitch.

"You don't care about anything. You just enjoy the atmosphere with the adrenalin and the passion.

"That's great, especially for our young players and it's also fantastic for me.

"When I came here there were a lot of stars, not only on the pitch but on the bench. Now we have changed the shape of the team and as an experienced player you know what to do.

"You have to be serious and not make any serious mistakes on or off the pitch.

"When I first came here I played a very risky style, which I still do, but somehow it works out better now."

Lehmann's recent form has persuaded Arsene Wenger to offer him a new one-year contract.

It has yet to be signed but the German international, signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2003, does not want to leave after finally winning the affections of the Arsenal supporters.

As he stood firm against Madrid's might, the fans sang his name like they used to hail legend David Seaman.

Lehmann said: "I have been offered a contract and I worked for that because I love the club. I love London. My children like the schools here.

"It would have been a mistake to leave before. I always wanted to fight back. I've been working for another contract and we'll see if it will happen."

The brilliant save from Raul underlined his soaring confidence. He was initially beaten by a fierce shot from the Real captain but scrambled up to tip his second effort away with his fingertips.

Lehmann said: "Fortunately for me he hit it so I could get it. Sometimes players hit it along the floor, next to the post and you don't have a chance. He didn't hit it right and I got a hand on it.

"At the end it seemed crucial but everybody has done well and made crucial tackles. Every player played a crucial part in these two legs. It's not about one save I made."