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MANCHESTER. — Arsene Wenger has revealed how he masterminded Arsenal’s 2-0 win at English soccer champions Manchester City on Sunday.
The Gunners won at the Etihad Stadium for the first time since 2010 thanks to goals in either half from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud.
And speaking after the game, Wenger opened up about the tactical changes he made against the Premier League’s defending champions. “We played high up in their half and very deep in our half and it worked,” he said. “Sometimes, the fact that you have to find solutions internally is a blessing.
“People are very quick on their judgment, you forget that we had many defenders out all season, as you saw today the centre-backs are a good partnership and it takes time to get back to that level. It’s down to everybody doing their job. The first goal dictates the way of the game in these big games — today (Sunday) we scored first.
“We looked in control away from home and we finally got a big win in a big game away from home. What is pleasing is that reinforces the belief of the team. To feel that you can do well is very important.
“I felt that we were well-disciplined, well-organised, had a good solidarity and overall we kept a good control of the game. We could even have done better on counter attacks.”
True, a change of tactics reaped rewards as a new, more subdued but more solid Arsenal arrived at Manchester City on Sunday, saw less of the ball than usual yet still masterfully outplayed the champions. At the same Etihad venue last season, Arsenal commanded 48 percent of the ball but in attempting to go toe-to-toe with City were thumped 6-3. — AFP.
Online Reporter