Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that his players showed their frustrations with his current system after the loss to Manchester United.
The Gunners succumbed to a 3-1 loss to the Red Devils last weekend, despite dominating much of the 90 minutes, but thanks to two early goals, the result was just out of reach.
The manager opted to switch his system as his side chased the game, reverting to a back-four during the match as he hoped to overturn their two-goal deficit, and the performance with just the two centre-backs was impressive.
Wenger has now revealed that his formation has been questioned by his players, before adding that whilst he listens to criticism, it is his decision which is final.
‘Everybody has a little bit his own analysis but mine counts!’ said Wenger.
‘We analysed it in a very objective way. We had a very strong creative performance and a poor defensive performance.
‘When you have a defeat like that, a disappointment like that, you try to analyse it straight away with the players to get it out of the system and focus on what is in front of you.
‘Is it out of their system? I feel in our job there is always in the next game you can show that you have digested and focused on what is in front of you.’
The system certainly played a big part in our FA Cup success last season, but I don’t see why it would be negative to use more than one formation as the season goes by. We’ve enjoyed plenty of success previously with four at the back,
Should Wenger look at changing the system? Are we limiting our attack too much by committing to a theoretical back five?
Pat J