- Gunners beaten twice by Man City to PL title
- Arteta’s role under the scanner
- Lehmann unimpressed with the manager
WHAT HAPPENED?
Despite Arteta’s efforts to transform Arsenal into title contenders, Lehmann remains uncertain about the Spaniard’s potential to establish the Gunners as the No.1 team in England. They have come close in the last two seasons to lifting the championship but ultimately fell short against the consistency and brilliance of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
WHAT LEHMANN SAID
Lehmann, who was a crucial part of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ squad during the 2003-04 season, believes Arteta might have nothing more left in the tank to contribute to Arsenal.
In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Lehmann voiced his scepticism, saying: “Arteta has done really well bringing Arsenal up, but if he is the right man for Arsenal now… I am not sure. Last year, they were leading, and in one month [April], they lost it [three draws and one defeat]. The culmination was when [Bukayo] Saka missed the penalty against West Ham at 2-0 up and it was a draw. It was two points.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Lehmann’s comments reflect a deeper concern about the leadership and personality required to guide a team to the pinnacle of English football – which he thinks Arteta might be lacking.
“What people who hire coaches sometimes don’t understand is that the personality of the coach is super important as well,” he said. “Look at the personality of the coach. Is he a winner, or is he a nice guy who brings you to a certain level and then it is over? Inside a football team people thought the same [about me] but after a while they changed their minds, they thought: ‘Okay, he is difficult but he helps me to win’.
“The difference between winning and losing is that losing is very easy. You don’t need to do a lot to lose. You don’t have to practice a lot. You don’t need to argue with your team-mates. You don’t need to argue with the coach. You don’t need to command a lot, to challenge a lot. When you lose it’s nice and it’s no effort. Everyone can lose. You do nothing – you lose. But you are a nice loser. You want to win? It’s the opposite. You have to do a lot. You have to talk a lot, you have to argue a lot, you have to discuss, you have to dispute a lot. That takes time and energy but it is worth it and along the way it creates friction.”
DID YOU KNOW?
The German icon’s observations are grounded in his extensive experience and success with Arsenal. Lehmann made 199 appearances for the Gunners between 2003 and 2008 and returned briefly in 2011 to become the club’s oldest-ever Premier League player. He played every game in Arsenal’s undefeated 2003-04 season and contributed significantly to their FA Cup victory in 2005 and their run to the Champions League final in 2006.
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WHAT NEXT?
Looking ahead, Arsenal are expected to be a strong contender once again. However, if Arteta’s side fails to clinch the title next season, Lehmann’s concerns may resonate more profoundly with the club’s supporters and management.
