Arsenal: Changing Arsene Wenger Shows Future Can Still Be Bright

For the first time in 20 years, Arsene Wenger played three-at-the-back. His willingness to change shows Arsenal can still have a bright future with him at the helm.

Arsene Wenger is a stubborn and unyielding man. He has set principles and ideals, principles and ideals that have guided his management of Arsenal throughout his 21 years in North London, that he does not compromise upon, always abiding by how he believes a club should be run.

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It is an admirable quality: self-belief. But sometimes it can come at the detriment of the club. For the Gunners, that has, at times in recent seasons, been worryingly accurate. Wenger’s unwillingness to adapt to an ever-changing and adapting game has seen his side stand still as others have surged past them with inventive tactics and exciting, new players.

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However, our preconceptions of Wenger and his obstinate character may well have been off the mark. As Arsenal prepared for a crucial Monday night trip to Middlesbrough, one which they had to win if they harboured any hopes of hauling their way back into the top four positions, Wenger made the sweeping tactical switch to play three-at-the-back. When asked about his uncharacteristic change in approach, Wenger revealed that he felt it was needed:

"“It’s the first time in 20 years I’ve played it. It shows that, even at my age, you can change. We’ve lost a lot of direct fights centrally so it gets us a bit stronger in the air. It gives the team confidence to have something new to believe. I felt it was needed. We were vulnerable. Confidence in life goes away quickly but comes back slowly. There was some nervousness for us.”"

It was undoubtedly a surprise to see the team line up in the system that has served Chelsea so well this season. Wenger rarely changes his set up, believing that his team should have the quality to play their best and overcome any opposition, no matter the approach their opposition takes. And yet, change his set up he did.

Perhaps it is an indication of his desire to win; perhaps it is an indication of his growing willingness to adapt; perhaps it is an indication of his desperation. What it certainly shows is that Wenger is not a stale and stagnating manager, out of touch with the struggles of his side, unaware and unwanting to enact change.

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Rather, Wenger is an immensely competitive man. He is desperate to win. And as a result, he is willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve success. And that shows that the future can still be bright under the much-maligned Frenchman.