The “very demanding” Jens Lehmann has had a major impact on the Arsenal first-team since his appointment to Arsene Wenger’s coaching staff last summer, according to Rob Holding.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lehmann, a member of the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ who won the league title without defeat, was appointed as a first-team coach before the start of this season and has proven to be a close confidante to Arsene Wenger.
Lehmann was the coach Wenger chose to have alongside him during his recent touchline ban and it appears he has translated the intensity he showed as a player to his career in the coaching staff.
The German international was known to be a fiery, demanding presence in the dressing room, once arguing with team-mate Sol Campbell in a match where they won the Premier League at White Hart Lane. Holding sees a similar will to win in Lehmann now.
“Jens has been a big difference since he’s come in,” Holding told Sport360. “He’s very demanding and not afraid to get down and dirty with you – he’ll get at you and I’ll have a little snap back.
“But then after training we’ll speak about it and we’ll come to an agreement on what went on and then the next day it’s like nothing happened.
“There’s no grudges held and it’s what I think is the key to getting the best out of me. You’re more aggressive and more demanding as a consequence and that’s what I need to be as a centre-half.”
