10 Things We Learned About Arsenal from FA Community Shield Win over Chelsea
By Josh Sippie
5. Arsene Wenger is continuing to learn to adjust
For the longest time, Arsene Wenger had been criticized for not being able to adjust his tactics. It was always the same Arsenal, building up play with no end result. Against the smaller teams, it worked. Against the bigger teams, it failed miserably.
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Last year, we saw a new counterattacking Arsenal against the bigger teams that was starting to pay dividends and it proved that Arsene Wenger was learning to adjust to different opponents.
This match proves that he is continuing that learning. Not only did we see brand new tactics and a brand new formation, but the tactics that Wenger used completely frustrated Chelsea. Mourinho commented after the game that Arsenal left their philosophy in the locker rooms. That is not so much an insult as it is a compliment. Mourinho basically said that Arsenal looked completely different tactically.
Not only that, but Wenger started Walcott over Giroud for Walcott’s runs in behind the defense. That is a bold move for Le Prof, and while it may not necessarily have paid off, it shows that Wenger is willing to take chances.
Next: Number 4