Arsene Wenger was hailed after his side's 2-0 win over Manchester City, not just for the spectacular result but for the fact that it demonstrated he is capable of changing his tactics for certain games.
Wenger was previously thought too romantic/pig-headed to do such a thing. Arsenal have taken a number of chastening beatings against the top teams in the past few seasons.
However, this all changed against City and even Piers Morgan was moved to praise Wenger.
Had Wenger undergone a personality change?
It turns out not. Apparently, pressure from the dressing room forced his hand. In an interview with BeIN sports, Wenger said the players pressured him into moderating his instincts and changing his approach.
At some stage you cannot go against the feelings of the team because it’s detrimental to the result.
The team sometimes needs to be reassured and reassurance comes first from feeling solid and strong and then you can express your talent and our confidence in the big games had been damaged by these big results.
Of course (I listened to the players). Your tactics have to be aligned as well with the feeling of the team and with the confidence level of the team.
He denied his philosophy has altered fundamentally.
I go from being too romantic to too pragmatic. We are not going to change our style.
[Daily Mirror]
