Jens Lehmann: Unai Emery has taken charge of Arsenal in ‘perfect environment’
The Arsenal legend doesn't believe a major rebuild is required at The Emirates this season
Jens Lehamnn is adamant that Unai Emery has taken over the reins of Arsenal with the club in a “perfect environment”.
The Gunners were very active in the summer transfer window following Emery’s appointment.
The Spanish head coach brought in Switzerland international Stephan Lichtsteiner in a free transfer from Juventus.
The north London side snapped up Bayer Leverkusen and Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the current transfer window.
Arsenal improved their defence with Borussia Dortmund centre-half Sokratis Papastathopoulos to bolster Arsene Wenger’s back four.
World Cup star Lucas Torreira was the fourth player to move to the Gunners in a big money deal this summer.
Emery landed his fifth player in the shape of French teenager Matteo Guendouzi to plan for the future.
However, the Gunners lost 2-0 to defending Premier League champions Manchester City in their Premier League opener at The Emirates on Sunday.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lehamnn is adamant that the Gunners don’t need a major rebuild despite a disappointing sixth-placed finish last term.
“I don’t consider it a re-build, the new manager has taken over a club in almost a perfect environment,” Lehmann told Sky Sports’ The Debate.
“The players have a good attitude. I expected a little more on Saturday, they had a big change, and after 22 years it’s different if something is new, of course. It could have been my grandmother in charge, or whoever, but it’s still new.
“I don’t agree that after 22 years it takes a while to improve – the 22 years were great, and Arsene has invented the best football in the country, probably across Europe. Pep Guardiola took him as a role model in his best years, maybe 10 years ago.
“In this 22 years, it was a period of success. Not the ultimate success, and in recent years not the biggest success with missing out on the Champions League, but it has been a great time altogether.”
Arsenal will take on bitter rivals Chelsea FC in their next Premier League fixture in the London derby at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
The Gunners haven’t won the Premier League title since 2003-04.
