Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is insisting that his side will not travel to Manchester City this weekend with the sole intention to defend.
The Gunners have avoided defeat in four of their last six away matches against the Citizens, and will be keen to add to that statistic this weekend, Our rivals have much the better form of late however, and few will be confident of our side picking up all three points this Sunday.
Our boys stuttered to a 0-0 draw at home to Europa League opponents Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night, but none of our regular starters were in the starting line-up, and our squad should be fresh for Sunday’s crunch clash.
Arsene Wenger insists that he will be going to the Etihad to play football, and is not planning go there looking for the draw.
“We will of course try to play our game, we will not hide,” Wenger said when asked of his plans.
“When we go there, we want to defend well, but you cannot go there only focused on defending, we want as well to play with the ball and create dangerous situations. Sometimes the best way to defend is to attack.”
The interviewer continued to question the tactics of the Frenchman, insinuating that it would be a risk to play openly against the Premier League leaders.
“When you want to play football, you have to accept risk,” Wenger replied.
“If you want to play football when you walk on the pitch, you have to accept the gamble and the risk as part of the game. After that, you have to rate the risk, whether it is a bigger risk to defend or attack. If a team is only there to attack, it is a bigger risk to defend.
“You can win a game with any style. That is what makes football interesting. As long as you are strong in what you do.”
Should Arsenal adopt a more defensive system for the tough trip to City? Is Wenger bluffing?
Pat J