Wenger annoyed by defensive displays against Arsenal
Wenger annoyed by defensive displays against Arsenal
Gunners broke down a stubborn Bolton defence only in the 84th minute.

New Delhi: After his side's narrow 1-0 win against Bolton on Saturday, Wenger attacked the defensive tactics used by away sides at the Emirates.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has launched yet another attack on teams that refuse to play attacking football when taking on his side in North London.

The Gunners had to wait until the 84th minute to break down a stubborn Bolton defence on Saturday when substitute Bendtner slid in to give the home side the win.

Bolton adopted a 4-5-1 formation and were only a able to name three outfield substitutes due to injuries and suspensions.

The defensive formation is not a new one to Wenger as many teams have arrived at the Emirates with no intention of attacking whatsoever, and the Arsenal boss is frustrated by this fact.

Wenger is quoted by teamtalk.com as saying, "I sit on the bench and I try to put myself in the position of [Bolton manager] Gary Megson and straight away I understand.

"Then after I think we have to be good enough to create the chances if the opposition only defends. It is maybe one of the weaknesses of the top Premier League sides this year that teams have learned only to defend away from home, the leading clubs have all struggled with that - even Manchester United, with all their offensive force."

The Frenchman believes that the Premier League has lost something since his arrival 12 years ago.

"The Premier League has definitely lost something. When I arrived here in 1996, everybody had a go at you and there was space up and down the flanks. Sometimes you lost the game, but you could see more chances than today. You go back 10 years and everybody played a strict 4-4-2. This year I cannot remember any team coming here with two strikers, except Hull who played like that just at the start, but slowly they came back and became like the other teams."

The 59-year-old believes the hardest task is finding a way of breaking down the defensive sides.

"What is interesting in the game is that every new problem you face the teams have to work to find the answer," he said.

"That problem will only be temporary I think because it will force the teams to work on movement, the technique and the creative side. It is important that these teams do not get away with only defending any more and they have to start to take risks as well," ended the Arsenal boss.

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