Lehmann is behind Manuel Almunia in the pecking order at Arsenal

The 38-year-old has fallen out of favour at Arsenal, with Manuel Almunia preferred, but has said he has decided against a move for "private reasons."

"Although it would have been a very attractive challenge to play again for Borussia Dortmund, I have decided against this step," he said.

Lehmann spent four years at the Bundesliga side between 1999 and 2004.

Dortmund made Lehmann their top target after keeper Roman Weidenfeller was ruled out for three months because of a shoulder injury.

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He was a member of their Bundesliga-winning side in 2002, a year before he moved to Arsenal, where he was first-choice goalkeeper until this season.

But having lost his Arsenal place to Almunia, Lehmann, who is out of contract in the summer, was keen to play first-team football to cement his place in Germany's Euro 2008 squad.

German coach Joachim Loew said Lehmann's chances would not be affected by his decision to stay at Arsenal.

"Naturally, it would have been interesting for Jens to return to the Bundesliga, because a player of his quality is always an enrichment," said Loew.

"But as I know from talks in recent days, he considered his decision very carefully, and so it will be the right one for him.

"Our position towards him will not change as a result of this decision."