He came racing out of his goal to clear a pass from Frank Lampard but, even though the Arsenal keeper reached the ball first, Gudjohnsen was still able to block his attempted clearance before finishing from a tight angle.

Arsenal managed to equalise just six minutes later through Robert Pires, ensuring that they still hold the edge ahead of the second leg at Highbury in just under a fortnight’s time.

But Lehmann, who had also admitted he was at fault for a similar mistake away to Dynamo Kiev earlier in the competition, conceded: “I am to blame for most of the goals I concede so there is no difference.

“I’ve done it [come out of goal] hundreds of times before and unfortunately this was very unlucky as he touched it with both his right and left feet. I have to live with that as a goalkeeper but I will do so.”

Lehmann was also involved in one of the game’s other talking points, when Marcel Desailly was booked for pushing the ball out of his gloves with his hands.

The Frenchman was sent off just three minutes later for a second bookable offence – a late tackle – but Lehmann, who clashed with Kevin Phillips at Southampton earlier this season, insisted: “All the players in the Premiership try to do it [put me off].

“But they will not succeed as I can cope with it. Sometimes the referees make decisions that no one understands but this time I think the referee was quite good.”

Lehmann is still not taking anything for granted about Arsenal’s progression towards the semi-finals, with Real Madrid set to be waiting in the last four after being Monaco 4-2 at the Bernabeu.

“Are we favourites to go through? No, because Chelsea can be dangerous all the time, especially in a European tie,” he said.

“We are still confident and we know that it’s tough for any side to beat us at Highbury but we have two very hard games against Manchester United now and we must see what happens in them.

“The pressure is now on Chelsea as they have to try and either win or score a minimum of twice. We will also have the little advantage of a home game and our crowd but, in a second leg, anything can happen.

“I just have to keep a clean sheet and we are through!”

Lehman could nevertheless find even greater competition for his place next season, if Parma keeper Sebastien Frey is to be believed.

Frey, 24, claims he has already spoken to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger about a possible move to Highbury this summer, although he believes former club Inter Milan could also be interested in him.

Neither club have confirmed their interest, with Wenger having maintained his happiness at the way in which Lehmann has filled the gloves of David Seaman since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Frenchman Frey, nevertheless, told www.skysports.com: “It seems like I will leave Parma in the summer.

“Wenger has already called me and told me to wait for a little bit because they are concentrating on the Champions League.

“Then, they will close the deal. It seems Inter are also interested and the man who didn’t want me there has left, so there could be a return.

“To be considered one of the best in the whole world, I have to play in the Champions League. Next year…”