Kevin Whitcher
Interesting one this. Jens Lehmann has joined the club’s coaching staff, but not as simply another goalkeeping coach (though God alone knows what he thinks of Gerry Peyton). There is great enthusiasm amongst some fans who believe we will see the Jens Lehmann we witnessed as a player, bollocking team-mates and taking no nonsense from anyone. There are visions of half-time dressing downs in the changing room after insipid first halves.
Sorry to be the party pooper, but since departing Arsenal as a player for the second time in 2011, Lehmann has been totally diplomatic when it comes to the club and the manager. He wouldn’t be anywhere near Wenger’s backroom team if he was going to speak up and make much needed waves, like reminding Mesut Ozil the value of a tackle for example.
Remember when we thought Steve Bould was going to sort a few people out? He drummed Alex Song out of the club, but was restrained from any similar altercations soon enough by being told to pipe down in tandem with his work on the defence being reduced. He was in danger of becoming too influential and taking credit away from the main man.
One other thing to remember is that when players become managers they do not always behave the same way they did on the field. George Graham was known as ‘Stroller’ when he was in the first team, due to his laconic style. In the manager’s office, that nickname was never heard, he became ‘Gadaffi’.
Speaking about the appointment, Lehmann said, “I spoke to Wenger. There were then two more talks, in which I told him what I can contribute. I am the only new guy in the coaching staff, so I will listen a lot and keep my eyes open. My place will also be more up on the stands than down on the bench, I suppose. I hope to contribute positively with this."
No place on the bench from the looks of things then, but a seat next to Boro Primorac in the directors’ box. In fairness to Lehmann, his organizational abilities in terms of the players in front of him was a big factor in the Invincibles season, and he martialled the central defence of Senderos and Toure that kept a clean sheet to win the 2005 FA Cup and go on an impressive run to the Champions League final a season later. So he could make a significant contribution, if his advice was heeded / encouraged.
Then again, back to Steve Bould, some of the defending last season hardly bore the stamp of the famous back four hallmark. So the odds are that Jens will be another in a long line of Arsene’s ‘Yes men’, sad as I am to say it. He will most likely learn what he can from the way things are done at the club, before moving on in a year or two’s time to somewhere he will have greater input.
There have also been extra appointments in the fitness and legal departments, but it seems that no-one has been held accountable for the consistent failings of recent years. No-one has suffered the ignominy of the chop. ‘Catalyst for change’, anyone?
Summer T-Shirt Sale Continues - In memory of the good times, we’ve dug out what remains of the goonershirts stock of Jens t-shirts – see image above - and there aren’t many (in fact only Small, Medium and Large sizes remain) but these are classic items. When they’re gone, they’re gone. These are on sale at the knockdown price of only £4.99 each with free postage (UK only). If you are interested, then drop us an email at [email protected] with your requested size, name and address and we’ll give you details of how to pay – which will be via PayPal or online bank transfer. We’ll be plugging these on the Gooner Twitter account too.
