Jens Lehmann, the former Arsenal goalkeeper, has recently revealed that he 'always' argued with his teammates despite their incredible success on the pitch during his time at the club.
Invincibles Squad
Lehmann was a member of the Gunners' Invincibles squad during the 2003/04 season, where Arsenal secured the Premier League title without losing a single match as part of their record 49-game unbeaten run.
Friction between players
Despite the team's success, Lehmann has revealed that there was friction between the players. The German would often berate Thierry Henry in training, telling him to "run, run, run". Lehmann also clashed with fellow keeper Manuel Almunia, who later took his place in the team.
Relationships on and off the pitch
Lehmann explained that he had difficult relationships with his teammates on the pitch, but off the pitch, it was a different story. He liked Almunia as a person, despite losing his place to him. Lehmann admitted that he would psyche Almunia out sometimes, which wasn't fair, but sometimes happens in football.
Competition for places
Lehmann also revealed that when you had a competitor, you did your best to play and not him. It was either him or you in football, and that went for Almunia as well. Lehmann described Almunia as a fantastic goalkeeper and liked him a lot, telling him so, and since then they have been on good terms.
Lehmann's departure
Almunia was brought on in Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Barcelona in 2006 after Lehmann was sent off. The Spaniard would go on to displace Lehmann as Arsene Wenger's first-choice keeper during the 2007/08 season. Lehmann made just seven league appearances during the campaign before leaving for Stuttgart in his homeland in the summer, ending his initial five-year spell with the Gunners.
Lehmann and Henry's partnership
Despite their arguments, Lehmann and Henry made 145 appearances together for the club, playing key roles in both the Invincibles season and the following year's FA Cup triumph. Lehmann even provided an assist for Henry in a home win over Watford in 2006.
