Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal must be braver if they are to end the club’s wait for a Premier League title, says Jens Lehmann.
The former goalkeeper was an integral part of the unbeaten Invincibles side which won the league in 2003-04, the last time the Gunners lifted the title.
“[This team] are very different to us in their approach - much more cautious and slower with the ball,” he told the Daily Mail.
“Physically, they run a lot more and have more high-intensity runs but they don't play faster than us because we were a one-touch team. They all take three, four touches at a time. And if you're too cautious in football, you can't win trophies.
“Most of the time, the bravest teams win the league. I would love them to win the title but that has cost them in certain games.
“It's 20 years since we won the league and I hope Arsenal win but it's not in their own hands anymore and that's a weakness.”
Although Arsenal went unbeaten under Arsene Wenger in that historic campaign, they have been comfortably outscored by this year’s Gunners - 73 goals to 85 with three games left to play. However, they boasted a superior defence which conceded two fewer goals than Arteta’s side’s current total.
Now out of the Champions League and FA Cup, Arsenal can focus on their remaining games against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Everton but need Manchester City to slip up.
Lehmann is concerned that his old club’s lack of trophies shows they remain a step down from football’s true elite clubs, having last won a major honour four years ago.
“He's done a good job but unfortunately, you're talking to a guy who loves Arsenal, wants them to win and not just to be up there,” the German added.
“I was very disappointed with how they lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
“Afterwards, they showed a great reaction beating Chelsea and Tottenham. But to be a big club, you have to win trophies.”
