Arsenal: Arsene Wenger must hide, not rely on, defensive deficiencies

Given the make-up of the Arsenal squad, Arsene Wenger must hide the defensive deficiencies with an overawing attack. Against Spurs, he operated for a more conservative approach. The price was paid.

Arsene Wenger has often been criticised for lacking pragmatism in the big games. Away from home, his Arsenal teams have been carved open by a series of superior opponents, lacking the necessary defensive structure, mental awareness and positional discipline required in such high-pressure situations.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here

And so, it does feel a little odd, a little contorted, a little illogical, even, for criticising the conservative tactical approach that he implemented in Saturday’s North London derby. But that is exactly what has happened, from myself, many fans, and large portions of the media.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

I, like many others, wanted to see Wenger taken on Spurs with an aggressive, front-footed, high-energy, high-pressing strategy. Given the attacking qualities in the team, the comfort at which the personnel suits a high defensive line, and the propensity to struggle against opponents who are happy to impress themselves high up the pitch, it seemed sensible, although brave. And even, it seems, some of the Arsenal players perhaps thought that such a style would have been more successful.

Hector Bellerin, who was perhaps the Gunners’ best player on the day, more for his defensive contributions in an enthralling, intense one-on-one battle with Heung-Min Son than what he offered when pushing forward, admitted that he and his teammates needed to take a greater initiative:

"“In the first half, we were waiting for something to happen. We didn’t create chances, we didn’t have the ball like we should have done and then in the second half we paid for it. We need to take the initiative a bit more, to attack more and keep the ball because we didn’t do that today.”"

The key to playing in a more aggressive manner is that it can hide the defensive shortcomings. Because of the pressure that is placed on the opposition, the quality of their distribution is often inaccurate and inconsistent. That limits the foothold that they have in the midfield, often suffocating their centre-forward of any service whatsoever.

Manchester City have perfected this collective technique. Defensively, they are not especially sound individuals. All of their defenders have shortcomings that have been exploited at times this season. And yet, only Manchester United have conceded less this season — 20 goals compared to 19 goals. That is because of the pressure that they are able to enforce onto the opposition throughout the pitch, suffocating them of time and space, commanding the game.

Wenger did not hide his team’s defensive deficiencies. Instead, he relied on them. As such, the price was indeed paid.