Jens Lehmann has backed Arsene Wenger to continue as Arsenal manager next season, insisting the Frenchman still has the ‘intelligence and fire’ to lead the club to success.

Wenger’s standing with supporters reached a new low after they suffered Champions League humiliation against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The Gunners were the laughing stock of Europe as they were dumped out of the competition with a 5-1 home defeat – losing to the Germans 10-2 on aggregate.

The painful result seemed to be the tipping point with fans who had remained loyal to Wenger, with the majority of Arsenal supporters now calling for the 67-year-old to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

But the club’s legendary ‘Invincibles’ goalkeeper is adamant Wenger should stay, saying he doesn’t deserve to end his 20-year reign on such a sour note.

Speaking on Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Lehmann said: “I think he has to stay now, because he’s done so much for the club,”

“People are talking about his age, if he still has something to give and if he can influence people and they want a new manager to come in to bring fresh air.

“But on the other hand it’s very difficult to replace intelligence, and we all know he is a very intelligent man and manager and he’s still got the fire.

“With all he’s done for the club I think he deserves not to go on such a bad spell of results.

“He probably needs a bit more future with some new signings, and then next season could be a completely different situation.”

Listen to talkSPORT’s interview with Jens Lehmann IN FULL above!