Jens Lehmann: Mikel Arteta must win title with Arsenal next season

Speaking in the wake of Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium, Lehmann was asked whether Arteta should face increased scrutiny should the Gunners fail to win the competition this season.

The former goalkeeper, who played in the 2006 European Cup final but was controversially sent off in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona, suggested that Arteta's leadership style may be part of the problem.

Arteta took charge in December 2019 and has since overseen a squad rebuild costing more than 700 million pounds. While the FA Cup triumph in 2020 and two Community Shield victories provided early optimism, Arsenal have not reached a cup final in the past five years.

"I think he started with a bad start, but you have to give a lot of credit to him," Lehmann told talkSPORT Drive.

"He pulled himself out, he changed the team and now he has made them very stable, and stable at the top, which is fantastic for the current owner, because he generates the money."

"But obviously, he has to win next year.

"This year, they could have won [the Premier League], Man City dropped a little bit, Liverpool replaced them.

"Next year he has to win, but he probably needs to change his personality a little bit to win things.

"Because sometimes, it's [about] control and being cautious.

"But if you want to win some things, in my opinion you could be a little more risky.

"But that's next year - next week is super important, I cross my fingers that they will score two goals and will not concede one."

With the club now at risk of ending another season without silverware, doubts are beginning to surface among supporters and pundits alike.

The Champions League represents Arsenal's final chance to lift a trophy this campaign, heightening the importance of the upcoming second leg in Paris. 

READ MORE: Lamine Yamal's brilliance sparks thrilling Barcelona-Inter Milan Champions League stalemate