Arsene Wenger is happy Jens Lehmann has agreed a new contract without Arsenal having to bend from their club policy.
The veteran German keeper has accepted the offer of a one-year extension to stay at Emirates Stadium.
Lehmann was reportedly holding out for a two-year deal, but Wenger is keen on giving his over-30s just 12-month extensions.
Wenger is unsure how long the 37-year-old can continue his career, but is content that the mould has not been broken to secure the former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper.
"It's difficult to say," said Wenger on the website with regard to whether Lehmann could play on into his 40s.
"You have to accept in that period of your life it is very difficult to predict how long you will last.
"It can be one year, two years, three years, nobody knows.
"We kept faith in what we do and that means year by year."
Wenger also acknowledged that there was a question mark over Lehmann staying with The Gunners for a fifth season.
He added: "It was uncertain for a while, but he decided to stay for one more year."