Arsenal Madness Continues To Derail Hopes And Dreams

Charlie Adam stated that Arsene Wenger’s approach is madness. His assessment shows how his maddening tendencies are derailing Arsenal’s hopes and dreams.

Just 10 minutes into Saturday’s match, there was a surprisingly positive outlook for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger had adjusted his approach, instructed his side to press high up the pitch and attempt to suffocate the Chelsea midfield and exploit the weaknesses in the three-at-the-back system in the defensive third.

Only five minutes later and Marcos Alonso had swatted Hector Bellerin and nodded home to put the Blues one goal to the good. Suddenly, Wenger abandoned the slight midfield changes, shifting Mesut Ozil back inside and moving Alex Iwobi out to the left-hand side and could only watch on as his side were dismantled by Chelsea with vicious counter attacks.

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During the game, Gary Neville very poignantly noted that he does not remember many games in which Wenger set up his team to primarily stop the opponent. It is an extremely fair point, one that has since been echoed by Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam. Speaking with Radio 5 Live on Monday night, Adam depicted Wenger’s unchanging, inflexible approach as utter madness:

"“No, never. It’s the same way, no matter if they are playing Stoke, Bayern Munich or Chelsea, they always try the same way. It is madness. I think that comes from a personal pride. [Jose] Mourinho gets stick earlier in the season, but he goes to Liverpool, shuts up shop, he’s happy with a point. I don’t think Arsenal are happy with that. They think they have to win every game.”"

Adam is correct in his assessment. Highlighting the willingness of Jose Mourinho to line up with an intent on defending, stifling their opponent rather than playing with an expansive and yet naive style is also an intriguing point. For many years, Wenger and Mourinho have been pitted against one another, primarily because of their different approaches in the big games.

Madness is an accurate depiction of Wenger’s tactics against the better sides. Chelsea are renowned for their counter-attacking prowess. It was no surprise to see them so dangerous on the break. They have been all year long. And yet Wenger set his team up in the perfect way to help Antonio Conte’s side.

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It was foolish. It was innocent. It was naive. And it has been repeated for many many years. Wenger’s maddening tactics in the big games are holding this team hostage, derailing the desperate title hopes and dreams of the club and its fans.

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