Arsenal FC: How To Overtake Manchester United and Win the Premier League
The English Premier League represents Arsenal’s last shot for a trophy this season. With just nine games remaining for the Gunners, they are in no way out of the title race. They currently sit second, just five points behind United having played a game less.
The Gunners have had their fair share of problems this season, especially with injuries to key personnel. Arsenal’s two best goalkeepers and defenders are out and will most likely miss the rest of the season. Despite all these setbacks and as a result of Manchester United’s weaknesses, Arsenal can still mount a late surge for the title and win it.
But Arsene and his men will have to change their approach and modify certain aspects of their game if they are to be successful this season.
Here is a look at a few things that Wenger can incorporate into his squad as they look to win their fourth Premier League crown and their first major trophy in six years.
Adapt Tactically and Be Prepared To Use the 4-4-2
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Despite the absence of Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Alex Song, Arsene Wenger has persisted with the 4-2-3-1 formation—and it is backfiring. Denilson is proving to be ineffective, and there is too much pressure on talented-but-young Jack Wilshere.
In such a situation, Wenger should be willing to adapt and start with both Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh.
Arsenal under Wenger have one of the most beautiful ways of playing the game, but currently it becomes a bit too predictable. Nowadays you can see more and more teams who have been successful in controlling the Gunners and preventing them from playing their natural game.
If Arsenal’s constant defeats with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United have taught us anything, it is that change in tactics often reaps rich rewards. Wenger has got to start mixing it up on the field and stop making it so predictable for the opposition.
Chamakh has so far proved to be a bargain signing and is finally coming back to his best after his midseason rut. He offers Arsenal variety and the opportunity to mix it up in their attack.
Chamakh is one of the best headers of the ball in the Premier League and is also a real physical presence up front. He can get his head onto crosses consistently and provide knock-downs for the attackers.
Arsene should advise his fullbacks to put more quality balls into the box for the likes of Chamakh to attack. Chamakh can also provide that crucial link between the midfield and attack and ensure that van Persie doesn’t require to drop deep to receive the ball.
This is where Arsenal can look to finish off their moves, as van Persie is most lethal when looking to bury the ball in the net.
With crucial games against several top teams coming up, Wenger could reap rich dividends by showing a willingness to adapt strategy and game plan. Not only does it provide the team a solid and effective Plan B, it helps to create variation that most teams will not expect from Wenger and his side.
Do Not Risk Players Unless They Are Fully Fit
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This season, Arsene Wenger has uncharacteristically played Fabregas on a couple of occasions when he has been below match fitness. As a result, Fabregas has had to spend even more time on the sidelines and has missed a couple of crucial clashes, both of which were drawn by his team.
Currently Arsenal have key players like Song and Walcott out injured and set to return following the international break. But their exact date of return is still a mystery. Wenger should curb the temptation to risk any of these players unless they are perfectly ready to play.
Arsenal have suffered due to the loss of these three players and currently it is only Walcott who has a good replacement in the squad. All these players offer the Gunners something extra and if Wenger chooses to risk any of these players, it could have serious repercussions on the squad.
With Arsenal all set to play Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United in April and May—games that could decide who lifts the title—it is a must that Wenger keeps these players fit and healthy for those fixtures.
Instill a Do or Die Mentality in the Squad
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Arsenal are currently second in the table, behind United by five points albeit with a game in hand. In such a situation, Arsenal can hardly afford any slip ups.
This season, there has been a remarkable improvement in Arsenal’s mentality, but time and time again the team has shown that they still have a lot of work to do before they acquire the type of mentality that really defines champions. They have battled hard and ground out wins, but at the same time, they have thrown away leads and disappointed at times.
What Wenger needs to do is instill a do or die mentality into the team. The team has to understand that every chance missed, every goal conceded could end their title race. Arsenal showed great mettle in drawing with West Brom but Wenger should look to ensure that Arsenal don’t concede early.
Any slip ups between now and May will end Arsenal’s season, and it can have serious repercussions on the club and its future.
Wenger must drill an attitude into the club that focuses on them producing the results on the pitch. In this crunch time, Wenger should look to focus on his team’s shortcomings and try not using refereeing mistakes to justify poor results.
Even if Arsenal are the victims of poor refereeing decisions, such excuses now will only result in the team hiding behind the excuses.
Be Bold with Substitutions and Team Selections
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Arsene Wenger is a man who is always reserved with his substitutions. He always gives the underperforming players too much time and chances that often backfire.
In the matches against West Brom, Wenger took drastic action as early as the 46th minute when he brought on Chamakh in place of the ineffective Denilson.
But he is not always so proactive. He tends to wait till the 60th minute to bring in a change. Well, I believe he should be willing to take drastic action as early half time.
In fixtures against Liverpool and Tottenham, there is no guarantee that things will go according to plan. In such matches, Wenger should take bold substitutions and be ready to make changes early.
Also, with players such as Denilson, he should make it clear that unless he performs at his best, a starting place is based on performance and not guaranteed.
Similarly with Fabregas, I believe that if he is struggling after returning from injury, Wenger should be willing to bench him and play Nasri. Nasri is a more than capable deputy and Wenger has other players he can use in place of the Spaniard.
Win the Title Battle Against United at the Emirates
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Arsenal take on Manchester United in a potential title decider at the Emirates on May 1st. Many people believe that Arsenal will lose the title before that, but I believe that going into this clash they will have a great chance of still winning the title.
Since Arsenal have currently a five-point deficit, I see them a couple of points behind United going into that clash. In such a situation, Arsenal will have to win that clash and cannot afford to take anything less than all three points.
So it becomes fairly compulsory that the Gunners should overcome their demons and beat the Red Devils for the first time in seven meetings.
Easier said than done—especially since the match is against United, a team led by the legendary Alex Ferguson who has constantly won the tactical battle against his nemesis Arsene Wenger in recent times.
This is exactly the situation in which Wenger has to show his tactical acumen and look to overcome the Red Devils.
SAF has always devised a shrewd tactic and strategy to stifle Arsenal’s passing game and choke the Gunners’ supply line. There is every indication that he will continue to employ that strategy.
As I mentioned on the first slide, this is exactly where the importance of a Plan B and a counter strategy comes into play. Wenger should start off in a cautious manner and ensure that Arsenal remain on level terms till the first half. But at the same time, he should advise his team to venture out forward without throwing everyone forward in such a way that they are susceptible to the counter.
Wenger should not completely abandon Arsenal’s pretty football as then Arsenal’s entire productivity will suffer.
In this clash is where I believe that Wenger should start either Bendtner or Chamakh. Both players can hold up play well and at the same time are real forces on set pieces.
Wenger should have a solid and dependable contingency plan in the event that his philosophy fails.
Replace Manuel Almunia with Jens Lehmann
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Mad Jens is back. After leaving the Gunners close to four years back, one of Arsenal's most illustrious goalkeepers signed a short-term deal to cover for the losses of Szczesny and Fabianski.
Now Almunia is undoubtedly a great shot stopper but he lacks the consistency and judgement to ever become successful. After injuries to Arsenal's two best goalkeepers, Wenger chose to appoint Almunia as his No. 1.
But after costing Arsenal the game against WBA, I firmly believe that the time has come to discard the Spaniard and appoint Lehmann as Arsenal's No 1.
Lehmann is a proven winner who, despite his age, is still capable of leading the Arsenal defense. His leadership will come in handy in such a crunch situation. Despite his momentary lapses in concentration, I believe his overall play is better than Almunia's.
