Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Must Learn Some New Tricks

While he has shown a willingness to adapt in recent years, Arsène Wenger has always stuck to his principles of measured, possession football. However, could Arsenal expect to see a slight tweak for the 16-17 season.

If Arsenal’s last season was like a blockbuster action movie, with Leicester City’s heroics and the emergence of Spurs and West Ham, then expect next year to be a drawn-out tactical battle between the traditional powerhouses and Spurs.

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With all the other sides having changed their managers recently, expect a high-octane clash of philosophies. Between our defensive pragmatists in Conte and Mourinho, to the high-pressing outfits of Klopp and Pochettino, and of course possession prince Pep Guardiola, Wenger has never had to contend with this much managerial talent before. It looks as if the old dog will have to learn some new tricks.

Cast your mind back to Alex Iwobi’s goal against Everton. It was so beautifully simple. So gloriously uncomplicated. Hector Bellerin got hold of the ball, and lofted it over the top for Iwobi, who ran it down and coolly slotted it between the keepers legs. It was what Arsenal fans had been longing for for quite some time, having watched Jamie Vardy do it all season. They called for this to be a starting point, where they would move away from the slow, tedious possession game that they were accustomed to.

Fortunately, however, it seems as though the changes are already underway at Arsenal. Think of the introduction of Danny Welbeck in the place of Olivier Giroud, and Gabriel for Per Mertesacker. It’s the introduction of a more simple, athletic, direct style.

There was a time when Theo Walcott was literally the only pacy player in the squad. Now, however, the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck are ready to back him. We can up the physicality and intensity, should we need to. We can play balls in behind, apply a high press, a high-defensive line, or even play long ball.

Look at the recent signings for more proof. Granit Xhaka is an accomplished long, cross-field passer. Mohammed Elneny has a monstrous engine and a penchant for a long shot. Gabriel is a powerful, proactive defender who’s game is centred upon physical attributes.

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Even in terms of transfer links, it is clear that Wenger is looking for a more mobile, quick striker as a foil for Giroud. I won’t delve deeper into the Jamie Vardy fiasco, but in Lacazette and Barbosa, we are seeing further links to players of his stylistic ilk.

I don’t think Arsenal are going to wholly change their default style though. For all the talk of how the New TV Deal has leveled the playing field among premier league clubs, most sides are still going to sit back deep against us. Which is why we won’t be allowed to change too much. So don’t allow yourself dreams of an entirely counterattacking system à la Leicester.

That’s not to say that there won’t be any difference though. Since Wenger himself admitted that where Arsenal fell short last year was against the ‘so called lesser teams’, he might already have decided to add another weapon to his, well his arsenal.

For a case in point, look at Arsenal’s game against Norwich towards the end of last season. Arsenal were absolutely dreadful in the first half, offering no penetration whatsoever to show for our possession. At 55 minutes, Wenger made a canny move, bringing on Danny Welbeck to play alongside Giroud. It worked, with Welbeck scoring the only goal of the match from Giroud’s knockdown.

Since when has Wenger made early substitutions? Since when has Wenger played with two strikers? Since when did a headed knockdown become Wenger’s preferred form of assist?

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Clearly, something has been changing, however slightly. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year our tactics fully catch up with the modern game. Maybe this year will be different.

But then we say that every year.