Is Jens Lehmann the first of many returning to Arsenal?

The ‘invincible’ German goalkeeper may trigger other legends returning to Arsenal’s coaching staff.

With news coming out that Jens Lehmann looks set to come in as an Arsenal goalkeeper coach ahead of next season, will Arsene Wenger finally begin to bring his old players back as coaches with two years to build and maybe leave Arsenal with a fantastic set of staff? That’s no offence to Steve Bould who is already there, but a wealth of ex-players with their coaching badges may be set to be given chances at the club, and many would say it’s about time!

If memory serves me correctly, Arsene Wenger has been good to players needing help with their badges and going through the process of gaining them, but once qualified they’re never taken on. I understand that you just can’t create a group of friends and just get everyone involved, but he has rarely ever given them the opportunity to actually earn a living off the pitch. Martin Keown was at the club when Arsenal reached the Champions League final, and in the process, the Gunners created a record of consecutive clean sheets. Coincidence?

Other names on the list include Freddie Ljungberg who left his job as an under 18s coach, to become Wolfsburg’s assistant manager with another former Arsenal coach, Andries Jonker. Thierry Henry was given an ultimatum by the Frenchman. Either he were to be permanent with Arsenal or continue at Sky Sports without juggling the two. Henry picked the latter and now juggles that with the assistant manager role with the Belgian national team. As I have already stated, I understand not everybody can get a job coaching at a specific club, but when you see how great Ajax’s academy is under Dennis Bergkamp. How well Patrick Vieira did at Manchester City before moving to New York. Even Mikel Arteta at Manchester City right now working under Pep Guardiola.

The list can go on and on. The point I’m making is that all these players have fresh ideas and two of the aforementioned names are synonymous with the North London side winning titles in their time. But with the same coaches season in season out with Boro Primorac, Gerry Peyton and others, Arsenal are going backwards by their standards and something has to change, whether it be in the dugout, on the pitch or behind the scenes.

We all know Lehmann is simply a winner and selfish in a good way, just ask Manuel Almunia! And with a fresh voice and a respected professional amongst the staff, maybe others may come in within the remaining years left under Arsene Wenger? Gerry Peyton has also had a hip operation which sadly could mean this new appointment may be forced, but maybe, just maybe, the longest serving manager currently in English football may have changed his thoughts regarding his backroom staff as he did on the pitch with Arsenal’s remaining fixtures, changing to a 3-4-3 formation?