'A sport has to encourage initiative' - Wenger questions Chelsea's style
Teams recently at the top of the Premier League have failed to control possession, and the Arsenal boss has said the game must value a proactive style.
ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger questioned Chelsea’s style as Antonio Conte’s men close in on the Premier League title.
Wenger’s teams have been renowned for playing possession-based games, but Chelsea are sixth in that statistic this season with 54.2 per cent.
That follows on from Leicester City’s remarkable title-winning campaign of 2015-16, when they ranked 18th with just 42.4.
Advertisement
Wenger pointed to the trend of the Premier League’s top teams, and said a lack of European football also helped.
“Over the last two seasons, teams who have not big possession have won the league,” he said. ”And, as well, teams who were not involved in Europe, at all, won the league.
“Because the league is so physically difficult, maybe it is very difficult to cope with both. We will see how Chelsea respond next season.”
While Wenger likes his teams to keep possession, Arsenal’s last league title came in 2003-04.
Chelsea can secure their crown by beating West Brom on Friday, but Wenger has no plans to change.
“Over a longer period it is still the teams who have the most possession,” he said.
“I still think a sport has to encourage initiative and if it rewards too much teams who don’t take the initiative, then we have to rethink the whole process because people will not, forever, come to watch teams who do not want to take the initiative.”
Arsenal are sixth in the table and face a crucial trip to Southampton on Wednesday.
'A sport has to encourage initiative' - Wenger questions Chelsea's style
ARSENAL MANAGER Arsene Wenger questioned Chelsea’s style as Antonio Conte’s men close in on the Premier League title.
Wenger’s teams have been renowned for playing possession-based games, but Chelsea are sixth in that statistic this season with 54.2 per cent.
That follows on from Leicester City’s remarkable title-winning campaign of 2015-16, when they ranked 18th with just 42.4.
Wenger pointed to the trend of the Premier League’s top teams, and said a lack of European football also helped.
“Over the last two seasons, teams who have not big possession have won the league,” he said. ”And, as well, teams who were not involved in Europe, at all, won the league.
“Because the league is so physically difficult, maybe it is very difficult to cope with both. We will see how Chelsea respond next season.”
While Wenger likes his teams to keep possession, Arsenal’s last league title came in 2003-04.
Chelsea can secure their crown by beating West Brom on Friday, but Wenger has no plans to change.
“Over a longer period it is still the teams who have the most possession,” he said.
“I still think a sport has to encourage initiative and if it rewards too much teams who don’t take the initiative, then we have to rethink the whole process because people will not, forever, come to watch teams who do not want to take the initiative.”
Arsenal are sixth in the table and face a crucial trip to Southampton on Wednesday.
World Rugby confirm 5-year residency rule as ‘necessary step in protecting integrity and credibility’
Scarlets delighted with impact of ‘absolutely outstanding’ Irishman Beirne
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Arsenal Arsene knows? Arsene Wenger Chelsea Football Premier League