Premiership forces Wenger to tinker with tactics

ARSENE WENGER is all too aware the tactics which have brought Arsenal great success in Europe this season will need tinkering with when they look to right a perceived injustice at Old Trafford tomorrow.

The Gunners secured safe passage into the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history on Wednesday night in Turin.

It was another impressive, all-round team display from Wenger’s emerging side - based around captain Thierry Henry as the lone striker - supported quickly from midfield and the flanks.

But Wenger insisted he would be looking to deploy two strikers at Old Trafford, Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor the likely man to play alongside his skipper.

“We nearly always play in the championship with a 4-4-2. Sometimes in Europe I change to 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, it depends on the opponent. It depends how I feel about the opposite camp,” Wenger reflected.

“I tried changing things (in the Premiership) - but it did not work too much because when teams bombard you with long balls, you are open a little bit with two centre-backs when you have only one striker. What works occasionally cannot necessarily be a rule on a day-to-day basis.

“Of course Thierry goes wide; most of the time you need another striker more central. Occasionally he plays only there, but most of the time he moves around.”

“I believe we will play with two strikers because it is a game we want to win. We are in a position where one point is not good enough.”

Wenger admits memories of Arsenal’s last trip to Old Trafford are still “painful”, with a controversial penalty setting United on their way to victory, which was followed by an ugly bust-up between rival camps in the tunnel and dressing-room area.

However, the Gunners boss is now more concerned with looking to the future. “The way it happened was very difficult to take,” Wenger recalled. “But I do not want to come back or develop on that before Sunday’s game. We cannot change anything about it now. I still feel today like that.

“For us it was painful because it interrupted a theory (of invincibility) which was exceptional and will remain certainly for a long, long, time. But now it is a different team.

“For us the challenge is to finish the season well, be in the top four - that will be remarkable when we achieve it because we started from so far (back) and to also finish well in Europe so this team can build the belief and the confidence through these big games which will be a great guarantee for future success.”

Wenger added: “At the moment what is special for me is to get back mastering our destiny in the championship.”

While Arsenal need a win to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Tottenham, United will also be seeking to continue their impressive form as they chase Chelsea. Should the hosts lose tomorrow, it could all-but end their hopes of mounting a late title charge.

“Unless Chelsea drop points against West Ham, you do not know,” said Wenger. “The advantage Manchester United have is they will know the result. But it is a disadvantage if Chelsea win the game because they (United) will be in a situation where they cannot afford to drop points.”