Club Focus – Arsenal – Wenger’s tactics ensure the Gunners secure a memorable win over Barcelona
Arsene Wenger is renowned for his business acumen and development of youth talent, yet his tactical guile often goes unnoticed. With his side trailing 1-0, Wenger made a substitution that was both bold and inspired in equal measure to turn the game and secure a first-leg lead over Barcelona.
Wenger’s tactics came into play before the game had even begun. Refusing to write off his young charges in the face of such an apparently implausible task, the manager instilled a quiet courage in his men, whilst publicly declaring his side underdogs. Wenger found the right balance between limiting expectations and maintaining the confidence levels brought about by eight wins in their last nine games. Going 1-0 down within the half hour sorely tested Arsenal’s resolve, but Wenger had one more trick up his sleeve.
Alex Song’s early booking meant the midfield enforcer was walking a tightrope among the Catalan conjurors. His zest and eagerness to regain possession didn’t help his cause, nor did the theatrics of Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets, or the mesmeric passing of Xavi and Lionel Messi; making his dismissal appear more a question of when than if. Cesc Fabregas showed his leadership qualities in restraining Song who curbed his evident enthusiasm to last 70 minutes. Despite the visitors holding a one-goal lead, the match was ultimately won and lost at that point.
Wenger had persisted with Song despite the obvious risk of a dismissal in order to maintain the combative edge to his midfield, yet when Le Professeur sensed a lull in Barça’s intensity, he displayed impeccable timing to ensure Song was taken off before he was sent off and subsequently put the Gunners on the offensive. The obvious replacement for Song was Denilson, yet Wenger brought Andrey Arshavin into the fold. Arshavin went on to net the winner, but by contrast Pep Guardiola’s decision to replace David Villa with Seydou Keita appeared ill judged. Barça lost their cutting edge and with it, their momentum.
If Wenger was the magician, Jack Wilshere was the ringleader. With attention squarely focused on Fabregas, both off the field and on, Wilshere took his chance to steal the limelight. Operating in the space afforded by the close attention afforded to Fabregas, Wilshere put in arguably the finest performance of his career to date. The Englishman’s combination of tenacity and technical ability provided the catalyst to a memorable comeback, aptly displayed by his incisive and instinctive first-time pass in the build-up to the winning goal.
Outspoken in the build up, Wilshere ran the risk of being found wanting when the real encounter began. In Wednesday night’s performance he signalled not only how far he has come, but also how far his side have progressed since exiting at Barça’s hands last year. For Wenger, managing expectations will be key in terms of both his starlet and the second-leg, but with a budding superstar and a lead to take to the Nou Camp, he finds himself in a pleasant predicament.
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