Arsenal: Arsene Wenger debunking power theory with Jens Lehmann

Arsenal has an unflattering history of snubbing club legends from returning from the club, but Arsene Wenger may be repairing that with Jens Lehmann.

Arsenal has had more than a couple legendary figures pass through tie halls. Their entire Invincible team should be considered legendary in one way or another and as such, their continued involvement with the club should always be nothing less than assumed.

But that hasn’t been the case. One thing that I have never been able to defend Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal board for is their continued snubbing of club legends. For one reason of another, any time a former Gunner wants to get back into the club in a coaching role, it never happens. And that’s just inexplicable.

Especially when you really stop to think about it. The two biggest examples of are Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams. Vieira constantly regrets that he was never given a chance to return to North London in a coaching role. Instead, he is now revolutionizing the way that New York City FC play the game and looks to be one of the best up and coming coaches in the league.

Then there is Adams, Mr. Arsenal himself. Adams was very outspoken about his snubbing from returning to coach at the club, making numerous headlines in the process.

Thierry Henry too, has had his run-ins, but his snubbing was mostly because he wanted to be on television. Which is still questionable.

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Numerous theories exist as to why that is, but one of them stands out loud and clear as the go-to argument. All three of these players are outspoken, have their own ideas, and won’t kow-tow to the demands placed on them. They want to have their own impact, not just fall in line.

The theory is that Wenger doesn’t want someone like that undermining his authority and quite frankly, I don’t see any reason to dispute that argument. There is no other reason why such legends wouldn’t be welcomed at the club with open arms.

Now, however, Wenger is bringing back one of the most outspoken Gunners in the history of the club – Jens Lehmann. He will serve as an at-large, general coaching figure that will assist with the first team.

That is a huge step. And yet another action that shows that, after two long decades, Wenger may finally be changing up his approach. Not only is he spending bookoo bucks on a class striker, but he is inviting club legends – outspoken club legends, nonetheless – back to the club.

Next: Arsenal's Potential 2017/18 Starting XI Without Ozil, Alexis

They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Wenger may have something to say about that.

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