'It came swerving and I couldn't stop it, I couldn't catch it': Jens Lehmann blames Nike ball for his howler that led to Arsenal Invincible's Champions League exit to Chelsea in 2004

Jens Lehmann has blamed the flight of the ball for his howler that cost Arsenal's Invincibles the chance to win the Champions League in 2004.

The German goalkeeper made a costly gaffe as the Gunners crashed out of Europe to their London rivals Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

With Arsene Wenger's team sweeping all before them on the domestic front - ultimately completing the 38-game Premier League season undefeated - they would never have a better chance to triumph in Europe as well.

Jens Lehmann wasn't able to keep hold of a long-range shot by Claude Makelele, allowing Frank Lampard to score Chelsea's equaliser in the 2004 Champions League tie

Lampard scored the rebound and Chelsea went on to eliminate Arsenal and reach the semis

Lehmann can only react with dismay as Lampard wheels away in celebration at Highbury

But after a useful 1-1 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, those dreams died in the return at Highbury despite Jose Antonio Reyes putting Arsenal in front.