Coronavirus: Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann faces huge backlash over comments

Arsenal icon Jens Lehmann has been criticised for questioning the official advice being given for the coronavirus crisis. [Courtesy]

Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann has faced a huge online backlash over comments he’s made regarding the coronavirus crisis.

The ex-goalkeeper has questioned the official advice being given for the global pandemic.

The number of patients to have tested positive for the virus worldwide is 217,000, while there have been close to 9,000 deaths worldwide.

Lehmann wrote: “This is difficult to believe now.

“The mortality rate is lower than in previous years across Europe, based on data until 8 March 2020.

“So let’s wait until the end of this week for new data. What if we cause more damage to the well-being of people by shutting down everything?

"Is it better staying home, being quarantined, losing the job now or the existence of a successful business?

“Will there be more people getting sick because of huge financial problems than through the virus? Who can answer that?"

Lehmann became a club legend at Arsenal. [Courtesy]

Those on social haven’t reacted well to his opinions though.

One person said on Twitter: “No offence, you’re a cracking bloke but stick to the goalkeeping on this one.”

Another added: “Better stick to football.”

One complained: “You should just shut up about pandemics and especially measures against them.”

And another tweeted: “Congratulations, one of the biggest prejudices against footballers has just been impressively proven.”

Lehmann became an icon at the Emirates during his five seasons with the Gunners in England, which has been severely affected by the coronavirus.

32 more people have died in just 24 hours as the death toll from the virus in the UK has risen to 104.

London is the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, with 10 deaths in the English capital alone today as fatalities spiked by 46 per cent in a single day.

Moreover, the number of patients to have tested positive for the killer bug in the UK jumped from 1,950 to 2,626.