www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsene-wenger-arsenal-players-forced-5030818. -- Turns out it was nothing to do with Wenger being a tactician, he was forced into it by players who were fed up of losing!! Sadly, not surprised at all.
Reading the article and quotes it didn't seem to say he had been forced to change tactics by the players... Sensationalist title considering the quotes given and lack of what question he was asked to get that quote. I did read some interesting wenger quotes on ozil though and how he has been working hard in the gym to bulk up, apparently determined to improve his strength.
I suppose it doesnt really matter whose idea it was at the end of the day. He changed things up and got the result, which is the main thing. One of his main failings has always been that he has refused, especially away from home against the bigger clubs, to change his tactics to suit the match and the opposition they are playing. I was shocked as hell that he did it, seeing as he has rarely done it, especially in the last 3-4 years. Question is, now he has seen that actually having tactics can get results and not just, "go out there and pass the ball to death", will he continue to utilise them?
The article just make that assumption the quotes don't actually say that. Besides it was not the first time we've played like that under Wenger.
“At some stage you cannot go against the feelings of the team because it’s detrimental to the result. “The team sometimes needs to be reassured and reassurance comes first from feeling solid and strong and then you can express your talent and our confidence in the big games had been damaged by these big results. “Of course (I listened to the players). Your tactics have to be aligned as well with the feeling of the team and with the confidence level of the team.” Pretty clear cut admission the tactics were chosen based on the players not being happy with the usual big game (failing) tactics
Not really, without knowing the question asked. "Do you listen to your players? Did they want to play a more defensive style?" Would yield the above answer without it meaning the players forced him to change tactics. Him talking about going back to basics to improve the team confidence sounds like his own words too rather than something the players have forced on him. If he'd said "I wanted to play an offensive game but the players told me they wanted to play defensively and would not listen to me" then I'd get the headline, but that isn't what he has said.
And I also think the players and manager discussing how the team should play can be a very good thing for the club!
Don't agree with a lot of things you say on here, but I agree with this. I'm fairly certain all players discuss tactics with their manager, don't really think it's fair to twist it and suggest that Wenger caved in to what the players wanted just because they weren't happy. I think people are over analysing his comments. It's a non-issue, in my view.
You cannot go against the feelings of the team - indicating he wanted to but was pressured into changing. It's very obvious.
I think we will have to agree to disagree The problem with second hand quotes is they can be delivered in a way that supports a certain point, much better to see the original interview. Definitely think too much is being read into these particular comments.
