Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger oversees training with Jens Lehmann as players prepare to fight for his future against AC Milan in Europa League clash

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If Arsene Wenger is to have a say in choosing his successor as Arsenal manager, it would seem Jens Lehmann has put himself in a good position as his right-hand man in training.

The Frenchman watched over Wednesday's training session at London Colney with his former goalkeeper close at hand to advise. Lehmann, who was part of the title-winning Invincibles team, has been a first-team coach since the summer.

Known for his bluntness and honesty, the former Germany international appeared to deliver some home truths to Wenger as they shared an animated discussion on the touchline while the players prepared for their next game.

Arsene Wenger with his first-team coach and former goalkeeper Jens Lehmann on Tuesday

The former Germany goalkeeper looks animated during a conversation during Arsenal training

Arsenal players completed a training session on Wednesday morning ahead of a trip to Italy

Jack Wilshere and his Arsenal team-mates take on AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday

Arsenal, who have lost four games in a row for the first time since 2002, will have the chance to redeem themselves and give Wenger hope of another season in charge in their Europa League tie against AC Milan on Thursday.

A strong squad including Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all came through Wednesday's session and all are expected to travel with the squad. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also trained but is cup-tied for the fixture. 

They face the Serie A giants in a round of 16 first leg at the San Siro on Thursday and know they must win the competition to have any realistic chance of returning to the Champions League next season.

Mesut Ozil and Mohamed Elneny go through their warm up during Tuesday's training session

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker (centre) looks cheerful among his Arsenal team-mates

Henrikh Mkhitaryan completes his warm up alongside Mertesacker and Hector Bellerin

Back-to-back defeats in the Premier League have left Arsenal trailing fourth-placed Tottenham by 12 points and Wenger has admitted they are likely to finish outside the Champions League places for a second successive time.

Now coming under huge pressure to leave at the end of the season, it is understood that only a return to Europe's elite competition will allow Wenger to see out the final year of his contract.

Winning the competition would grant them a berth and thus save Wenger's job, but it would also give him the chance to bow out on a high with what would be a fourth major trophy in five seasons.

Before he can think about that dilemma, however, Arsenal must find a way past an AC Milan side enjoying a resurgence under Gennaro Gattuso. They are unbeaten in their last 13 games across all competitions, winning nine.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang trains despite being ineligible for Thursday's Europa League tie

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck trains ahead of the Europa League round of 16 first leg in Milan