Quote Originally Posted by Blink 1nce Quince 2wice View Post
I've never quite clearly understood the repeated idea that our entire way of playing was manufactured precisely for the sake of Cesc's game.

I think Cesc as the best and most influential player naturally had a part in the use of a 433 but in our actual style of play I don't believe that was wholly as a result of 1 player.

I've also always believed Cesc was superior to Ozil but I do understand part of the reasoning for not buying him and don't believe he was anything like a flop at Barcelona. It's just annoying that we didn't actually sign a player in the primary position we actually needed one in.

Wenger has form in buying a player in positions we don't suspect when everyone is crying out for somebody somewhere else so now that the fans are doing a similar thing with a genuinely world class player in Cesc when we need a TOP DCM...it almost seems poetic.
I don't agree with that either. It took a while for Wenger to switch to a 4-3-3 formation. We played 4-4-2 with Gilberto and Cesc in the middle when teams were already adopting the 4-3-3 approach Chelsea were dominating with. We also played with a 4-5-1 formation after having some success in the Champs League. 2007-2008 was the first time we used a 4-3-3 and I think that was down to Wenger trying to add more strikers to the front because we just bought Eduardo but still had RVP and Ade, plus Theo.

Wenger always encouraged a short passing game and keeping the ball on the deck. The philosophy didn't change overnight with the arrival of Cesc. The Invincible team would talk about unselfish play and how everyone could score or set up a goal. If a player took the selfish option and didn't pass to make that perfect goal, Wenger wouldn't be happy. He enjoys a good assist just as much as the goal which is why our teams tend to overplay. Check the comments on Henry after a game.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...nselfish-henry

Teams are more tactically aware now which is why we can look some labored on attacks. But put us up against a naive team like what we saw against Galatasaray or last season against Napoli, we'll attack with pace and overwhelm a team. Times have changed and what worked before won't always work in this era.