Wenger understands negativity

Gunners' boss believes teams have got more defensive

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 11th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger understands negativity

Wenger: Understands sides defensive approach

The Premier League has definitely lost something. When I arrived here in 1996, everybody had a go at you and there was space up and down the flanks.

Wenger
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the Premier League has 'lost something' since his arrival in 1996.

With the difference in prize money between the Premier League and the Football League growing each year many managers have started adopting a more cautious approach so as not to run the risk of relegation.

The 4-5-1 formation is now widespread amongst the majority of the top flight as it now seems that teams go out with the philosophy not to lose rather than try to win.

Wenger was left frustrated on Saturday against Bolton as it took until the 84th minute for his side to break down the resolute Trotters.

"I sit on the bench and I try to put myself in the position of Gary Megson and straight away I understand," Wenger said.

"Then after I think we have to be good enough to create the chances if the opposition only defends.

"It is maybe one of the weaknesses of the top Premier League sides this year that teams have learned only to defend away from home.

Struggle

"The leading clubs have all struggled with that, even Manchester United, with all their offensive force.

"The Premier League has definitely lost something. When I arrived here in 1996, everybody had a go at you and there was space up and down the flanks.

"Sometimes you lost the game, but you could see more chances than today.

"You go back 10 years and everybody played a strict 4-4-2. This year I cannot remember any team coming here with two strikers, except Hull who played like that just at the start, but slowly they came back and became like the other teams."

With Wenger believing that more and more sides are playing more defensively he states that the challenge for the rest of the league is to learn to try and combat it.

"What is interesting in the game is that every new problem you face the teams have to work to find the answer," he added.

"That problem will be temporary I think because it will force the teams to work on movement, the technique and the creative side.

"It is important that these teams do not get away with only defending any more and they have to start to take risks as well."