'But adapting tactics is not Arsene Wenger's way'
Friday 3 October 2014 14:29, UK
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher will be right here each week to cast his expert eye over the forthcoming Premier League games.
The Liverpool legend will have his say on the teams, players, managers and stories surrounding Sky’s live weekend fixtures – and in this column he looks ahead to Sunday's London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal.
So read on for his thoughts on Jose Mourinho's willingness to adapt his tactics, Arsene Wenger's reluctance to do the same and Cesc Fabregas' inevitable impact.
What tactics will Mourinho go with for this game?
CARRA SAYS: I think Mourinho is a manager who, in big games, is prepared to change things and adapt his tactics for certain teams and Arsene Wenger isn’t so there’s no surprises with what Arsenal will do. I think Mourinho sets up for that and finds a way to beat it. The last game at Stamford Bridge - when the hosts won 6-0 - Chelsea played on the counter-attack and Arsenal pushed forward and that obviously got them a massive result. If Arsenal play in exactly the same way I’m sure Mourinho will do what he’s done in the past games, regardless of what type of players he’s got. The instructions will be the same, we’ve seen them this season scoring lots of goals at home and then going to Man City and, without killing the game, making it very hard for City.
I don’t think it’s negative when Mourinho sets up to counter-attack in certain games. He’s using the tactics that he thinks gives his team the best chance of winning – that’s clever, it’s not negative.
Will Wenger alter Arsenal's tactics to prevent a repeat of that six-goal humiliation?
CARRA SAYS: I don’t think Wenger will set up differently, I just don’t think it’s his way. I think it would be beneficial to him if he did tinker with things a little bit but I don’t see that happening. I hope he does because it will make it a better game. It would test Chelsea and give them a few things to think about. But it’s not really his way. He’s just passed his 18th anniversary and he’s been a great manager both for Arsenal and for the Premier League and changing his system is not something he’s ever really done so I’d be surprised if he starts now.
He’s obviously got a lot of similar midfielders but one thing could just be to tell the full-backs to hold their position for the first half an hour and see how the game goes. That’s not a case of having the players or not, that’s just telling them to take up certain positions that could help them. But of course they don’t have the big, powerful players of the past – that’s something that they lack and that’s nothing new. It’s been the case for a long time. But the players they do have are very, very good – some of them are top players.
Why didn't Wenger re-sign Fabregas? And will the Spaniard punish his old club?
CARRA SAYS: I think Arsenal didn’t go for him because they had Mesut Ozil there and they’ve got a lot of similar players. Before he left, Fabregas was actually playing in the position that Ozil likes – the No.10 role. He’s more central midfield now but Wenger sees him in his old role and he’d already spent over £40m on Ozil, who he wants a big season from. It’s not because Wenger doesn’t rate Fabregas – he obviously does – but he has a lot of players in that position now.
I see him having a big influence in this match because he’s a top player and he’s influenced Chelsea all season. Whenever players go back to old clubs something happens so you wouldn’t be surprised, but Wenger knows him well and knows what he can do, so you’d expect him to have something in mind for Fabregas.
Can Welbeck build on his midweek hat-trick and exploit Chelsea's defence?
CARRA SAYS: Welbeck would give any defender problems with that pace and that physique. It’s not something I’d like to come up against if I was still playing. But they’ll play a little bit deeper to lessen the impact of his pace, John Terry’s been doing that for a long time. And Gary Cahill knows him well through England. It’ll be a great battle.
There's no love lost between the managers - should we expect more dugout drama?
CARRA SAYS: I’m not expecting to see any extra spice on the touchline. There’s been a few things said over the years but that’s football. They both want to win, they’re both passionate and both great managers. Of course, when you come up against a big rivals there’s a bit extra and that’s the case on the pitch and on the touchline.
And finally... who do you see coming out on top?
CARRA SAYS: You have to fancy Chelsea because they’re at home and they have a great record in the big games under Mourinho. And Arsenal’s record over the past few years in big games has been poor. There’s no doubt that, at this time, Chelsea are looking like the best team in the league. So of course you have to fancy them.
Chelsea host Arsenal live on Sunday at 1pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
