Published: 11 October, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger believes that the Premier League has witnessed a tactical revolution since his arrival in 1996.
The Frenchman inherited an Arsenal team accustomed to playing a 4-4-2 formation, but this has been adapted over the years into a 4-3-3 system.

Wenger claimed that the “evolution” has “weakened” the attacking side of the game, although not enough, apparently, to stop Arsenal winning 3-0 at West Ham on Saturday.

“When I arrived in England I would say there was one rigid formation, 4-4-2,” he told the Official Arsenal Magazine. “Today teams are more versatile, they can go to three defenders, five defenders, they can go to 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3, 4-5-1, all kinds of variants.

“I think the formations teams use are much more flexible than 15 years ago, more adaptable.

“Evolution has happened, aided by a lot of European games and the influence of foreign players. You can call it evolution, but to reduce it to an overall point you would say the midfield has been strengthened and the attack has been weakened.”

The Gunners attack looked far from weak at Upton Park as Wenger’s side came from behind to take all three points thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla.