By Richard Bailey Last updated: 11th January 2009
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
Quotes of the week
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.
"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."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Barnet vs Arsenal |
| Monday 20th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Lincoln City vs Arsenal |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Hannover 96 vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 16:15 | Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 16:15 | Arsenal vs Rangers |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Portsmouth |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Wigan |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Blackburn |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 4 Chelsea | |
| Tuesday 5th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 29th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 26th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Tuesday 21st April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 4 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Arsenal 1 - 2 Chelsea | |
| Wednesday 15th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Villarreal | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Villarreal 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Tuesday 17th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Arsenal 2 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 11th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Roma 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 8th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Burnley | |
| Tuesday 3rd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 1 - 3 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Birmingham City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Blackburn Rovers | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
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