Arsene Wenger Shows Tactical Flexibility with Alexis Sanchez

After Arsenal’s win against Burnley, all the talk has understandably been about the dazzling display of Alexis Sanchez. However, there was another significant factor in the Gunners’ victory: the long-awaited return of 4-4-2.

Arsene Wenger is sometimes regarded as a tactically inflexible manager. In a recent interview with Henry Winter of The Telegraph, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce opined that Wenger simply “won’t adjust.” 

To an extent, Allardyce is right. Wenger is not typically a tinkerer. Rather than shifting his formation from game to game, Wenger believes in building a system and culture that can cope with any opponent.

For the past decade or so, that system has been a variant on a 4-5-1. Wenger introduced the formation to cope with the loss of Patrick Vieira, and has subsequently made it his de facto setup. 

It’s in part a homage to the great Barcelona sides of the early part of this century. Wenger is fixated by control of possession, and the system allows his diminutive ball players to dominate the midfield. Although he has occasionally altered the precise deployment of his midfielders, the basic guiding principles have remained the same—and the team has always had a lone striker as its focal point. 

However, against Burnley, Wenger took many observers by surprise and changed the shape. Faced with a deep and compact Clarets defence, Wenger adapted his setup. As soon as the game kicked off, it became clear Sanchez was playing right up top alongside Danny Welbeck. Wenger had finally reverted to a 4-4-2. 

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

In 2013/14, Wenger used two centre-forwards in the latter stages of FA Cup wins over Wigan and Hull. However, on both occasions that strategy was employed out of pure desperation. This was the first time Arsenal have started a match with two central strikers in years.

A glance at Alexis’ Squawka heat map shows how frequently he was involved through the middle:

Alexis Sanchez Heat Map | Squawka

Playing centrally ensures the Chilean can get on the ball in the most dangerous areas. Against Burnley, the benefits were obvious, as Alexis grabbed a match-winning brace. 

After the game, Wenger confirmed the tactical adjustment, telling Arsenal.com:

"

We played 4-4-2 and we played like that against Sunderland. It works because he [Alexis] works very hard so we can afford to do it. We have to balance the midfield and defence.

"

On this occasion, Wenger achieved that balance by fielding both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini in his midfield. The setup was reminiscent of the all-conquering Wenger teams from the first half of his reign. Back then, he would regularly field two destroyers at the heart of the midfield, with a front two causing havoc ahead. Although Arteta and Flamini are pale imitations of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, the strategic thought underpinning Wenger’s selection remains the same.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

It’s unrealistic to expect to see 4-4-2 every week. Wenger will eventually have to find a way to accommodate the likes of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in his team. It remains to be seen whether those creative talents can offer the requisite protection to play in a midfield four. 

However, the fact Wenger has shown a willingness to change the formation is definitely positive. Using 4-4-2 should make Arsenal less predictable and more potent in the months ahead.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and has been nominated as the best Established Football Blogger at the Football Blog Awards. Click here to vote for him.