It would seem that the new Arsenal hierarchy were preparing for Arsene Wenger’s departure by bringing in ex-Arsenal players into the coaching team. Per Mertesacker was invited last summer to take over the Youth setup and Jens lehmann was employed as a first team coach. Now we hear that Freddie Lunjberg is also coming, and now Robert Pires is also keen to rejoin the club as well.
“If I join Unai Emery’s staff, I think it should be good for me, and I hope it should be good for Unai Emery,” Pires said. “I could be like a bridge between him and the players. Because I know the players. For two years I have trained with the guys. So all of them, they respect me. And I respect the players, I was an ex-player. So the relationship between the players and me is good. That’s why I think I can help Unai Emery.”
“I’m very happy for Freddie because he’s back with Arsenal,” Pires said. “For the legacy, of course, it’s very important for the club to keep ex-Arsenal players. That’s why they chose Freddie, Jens Lehmann and Per Mertesacker.
“And for me, for example, if I can work with Unai Emery and the staff I would be very happy. We know the club. This is a new adventure for the club. Because for such a long time it was Arsene Wenger. To work with Arsene Wenger was amazing, but now it’s finished. So we need a new start. And if we can mix the new staff with ex-players I think it should be good.”
It certainly sounds like Pires wants to rejoin his old mates, but should Emery be bringing in his new team to change the club completely or should we have ex-players like Pires around as a bridge between the Wenger years and the new setup?
Darren N