Jens Lehmann has admitted that an Arsenal product could not ‘handle the pressure’ at Emirates Stadium, amid Mikel Arteta now targeting his return to the club this summer.
The Invincibles legend saw a host of talents rise from the academy to the first-team over his time at Arsenal. But not all of the youngsters Arsene Wenger promoted could cut the grade in north London. Even some of the gems to become regulars for the Gunners still struggled.
Lehmann believes he joined Arsenal at the right age to showcase his talents at Highbury in July 2003. Wenger signed the German from Borussia Dortmund as a veteran aged 33. Yet he went on to play 200 times and won the 2003/04 Premier League title and the 04/05 FA Cup.
Jens Lehmann felt Wojciech Szczesny could not ‘handle the pressure’ at Arsenal
Staying at Emirates Stadium to 2008 let Lehmann see Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski and Emiliano Martinez join Arsenal, as well. But while they were ‘fantastic’ talents as young goalkeepers, he feels Szczesny and Fabianski lacked the experience to step up in the role.
“I came in at a right age,” Lehmann told the Daily Mail. “I saw fantastic talents like Wojciech Szczesny, Lukasz Fabianski or Emi Martinez.
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“In Lucas and Wojciech, they were too young to handle the pressure and to make decisions. Because when you come in as a goalkeeper, your job is to organise and, obviously, be there when you need it.”
Wenger offered Szczesny his first-team debut in September 2009 aged 19, after three-and-a-half years in Arsenal’s academy. His Premier League bow even followed in December 2010 at Manchester United. Szczesny went on to play 181 senior games at the Gunners until 2017.
Mikel Arteta is considering Wojciech Szczesny’s return to replace Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal sold Szczesny to Juventus in July 2017 following a two-year loan spell at AS Roma. The 34-year-old had kept 72 clean sheets to 194 goals conceded over his 181 appearances for the Gunners. But Wenger lost faith in the Poland star midway through the 2014/15 term.
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Szczesny lost his starting spot at Emirates Stadium to David Ospina before departing on loan to Roma. Yet the 81-cap international’s contract at Juventus expiring in June 2025 may lead to a return to north London. Arteta is interested in Arsenal re-signing Szczesny this summer.
That is according to the Evening Standard, which reports that Arteta has named Szczesny in Arsenal’s list of potential replacements for Aaron Ramsdale. The 26-year-old is likely to seek a move away during the off-season after falling behind David Raya in Arteta’s pecking order.
Arsenal see Szczesny as a possible target as the club would ideally like a homegrown player to help meet the Premier League’s rules. Juventus are also open to selling a goalkeeper this summer to create a space for Michele Di Gregorio to join the Turin natives from AC Monza.
Szczesny’s salary at the Serie A side being around £100k-a-week after tax could be an issue for Arsenal, though. The Gunners are reluctant to pay top-dollar to sign a No2 shot-stopper. It also remains to be seen if Szczesny accepts being a No2 as he is currently Juventus’ No1.
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