Ahead of Arsenal’s Monday night showdown with Manchester City, Arsene Wenger sat down with beIN Sports where he was quizzed on his use of statistics – a subject brought to the fore by a recent article by The Times’ Rory Smith.
The full interview is due to be broadcast this evening, but here are a few teasers.
On statistics predicting when a player will score…
A match percentage rise is impossible to say, but I just want to say you cannot ignore [the statistics]. I want always the statistics after the game because I want to see if they confirm what I’ve seen. Sometimes it denies what I’ve seen, sometimes it gives you perspective as well on the vision of the game…but I never ignore, as well, my gut feeling because I’ve managed about 2,000 games. Somewhere I have a gut feeling, the vibes coming out are deeper than the numbers, they are important as well. But I love the statistics, especially when they are well done, you know. They can lead you as well the wrong way, you have to be very careful.
On data leading his team selection, in particular ‘Expected Goals’ statistics…
Of course, but I don’t need the statistics to know that if I don’t play any player with an expected goals-to-game number then we play with ten defenders. It plays a part but that’s just down to the fact you play a striker and the striker is a guy who has an ‘Expected Goal’ number.
On statistics telling him Aaron Ramsey will score more goals if he plays more central…
Yeah, of course. Of course. I played Ramsey wide because I played through the centre of the team very creative and offensive players. Ramsey could adapt more than anybody else on the flank, but I left him a lot of freedom. But I need to balance a little bit the team defensively. I feel as well that sometimes when a player plays against the [touch]line that they shorten their technique because they have less room to play, then when they come back in the middle they are more efficient. That’s what we see now with Ramsey back in the middle, you see there’s an evolution there.
On the Arsenal-owned company ‘StatDNA’ giving the Gunners an edge over their rivals…
I don’t believe so. Every club today has its own computer team and has all the stats they need. We have our own way and the way we [Arsenal and StatDNA] understand each other now [has developed] and we are quite happy. But always we try to develop it and to make it better.
On Monday’s game with City being important for Arsenal’s title ambitions…
If you want to fight for the championship you want to beat the teams who are at the top of the league with you. I believe it has a psychological importance, but as well mathematical because you know as well these ‘six pointers’ are massively important.
On this season being Arsenal’s best chance to secure a Premier League title since 2004…
At the moment we are in a mathematical position that can justify that, but I would say in 2009 in April we were top of the league*. The only thing I can say now is that this season looks like, more than any other season, the championship will be won with lower points and that the team who can be the most consistent will win it. We have to focus on mobilising our resources in every single game and show that on that front we can compete.
His reaction to playing Barcelona in the Champions League. Again…
I’m conscious of the difficulty of the task because Barcelona won the treble last year. That of course [starts laughing] makes the game of absolutely a huge difficulty. On the other hand, [I’m] excited. Why? Because you think somewhere mathematically they won’t win everything every single year, so there might be a chance. We have a good opportunity to show that we can beat them because we have done it with Bayern [Munich]. God knows what will happen before the end of February. Let’s hope we get all our players back and that once you go to the direct knockout, the form of the moment plays a big part in it. They are favourites, but I think we have a chance.
On buying players in January…
Yes, we are short and the number of games we have to play in January are very important. God knows how we will come out of the Christmas period which is very demanding on the physical front. We need to do something.
On revealing names of players he’s interested in…
I would love to give you some names, downstairs at the bar with a coffee…but not in front of your camera. [smiles]
__
*We’re assuming he means March 2008.
Why does anybody never go to the bar and get a cup of coffee with him?
I’m absolutely amazed by Wenger, particularly for getting the team consisting of Denilson, TGSTEL, Song and Co, so close to the title. He made stars out of RVP, Cesc, etc. It took some brutality to stop us that season. Personally for me that one title would have the satisfaction of winning it three times with someone like Mourinio! The only thing that frustrates me is Wenger’s gambles with injuries and the resultant lack of depth in some areas (like CB last season and arguably DM this). I mean we have hardly ever used all the 25 man squad size from… Read more »
Because that’s where the Coq will be coming soon after you arrive…
Very interesting choice of words, but yeh, I was wondering that too! 🙂
I’m assuming English isn’t your first language so if you’d like to know the correct phrasing it would be:
Why does nobody ever go to the bar and get a cup of coffee with him?
Otherwise please ignore my pedantry.
“But I love the statistics, especially when they are well done, you know…..” oh we know, we DO know. Pretty sure our in-house statistician is pretty chuffed right now.
What does “shorten their technique” mean? Better close ball control? Passing in a shorter range?
I expect he means a combination of a couple of different things that allow a player to be effective in small spaces. So close control, but also accurate passes in between opponents, receiving a long ball in between opponents and the touchline, etc.
1. Restricted area of operation which in turn discourages hanging unto the ball and unnecessary dribbles.
It means that the area in which you are confined is much tighter when you play wide. As Andy Gray says, the player has less open directions to choose to go to, especially when one or two opponents close down to him. It forces him to have quicker feet, certainly a sharper eye, but also quicker decision-making. Then, when the player goes back in the middle, he will feel much more freedom and will be able apply what he was used to do on the wing, which means with more effectiveness than if he had never gone wide. Well, that’s… Read more »
Watch Ramsey’s dribbles against Norwich to elucidate your point.
The trickery against the touchline was amazing and the one where he left four of them sitting down in their area before scoring was almost as good.
Up The Arsenal!
He is a poet, poets are allowed to used words in new ways!
That’s just beautiful.
A reasonable question was asked, so why so many thumb downs?
Because it is clearly explained by Wenger immediately.
“I feel as well that sometimes when a player plays against the [touch]line that they shorten their technique BECAUSE they have less room to play, then when they come back in the middle they are more efficient.”
I hope someone went down to the bar with him for coffee.
I’m sure he reads ‘By the numbers’.
Arsene Wenger, a real professor of football..
I would love to go for a coffee with Arsene. Imagine that. Bucket list stuff right there.
I bet he’s an espresso man.
I would take a man’s life to sit at the bar and discuss transfers over coffee with Arsene Wenger
Would be nice to discuss about Park Chu Yung indeed!
A loan deal for Rabiot from PSG will be the rumor out of that meeting.That’s my educated guess.
Santi Claws, I fully support that sentiment, especially if the man involved is Jose Moronho, John Terry, or Diego Costa. Or preferably all three.
We DO need God to beat Barcelona
We also need to believe in our team. We are one of the best teams in Europe and have been for a very long time, let’s not forget our own pedigree.
Unfortunately Coquelin is Injured:(
But DemiGod Wilshere will be back!!:)
Shame he’s retired now….
As a nice change from the usual, some decent unbiased officials would be a great benefit as well.
He does sounds very serious about the January transfer window. Every time he’s asked about it he’s just straight up said: “yes, we want to do something.” No mentions of the injured players who are supposed to be coming back late January, no references to how difficult it is to find quality in January, just straight up “we will try.” And I have to say: we have got to be an attractive proposition for any potential targets. Anyone coming in will most likely immediately get a run of games, we’re close to the top of the league, we have a… Read more »
He’s probably fed-up with telling people how difficult it is to get a deal done for the right players, when they don’t believe him….
http://news.arseblog.com/2014/01/exclusive-we-know-where-wenger-was-going/
I hope the bar downstairs is called “The Dragon’s Cockring” 😉
I would love to know where the Dragon’s Cockring is. Too bad it’s invitation only.
When the manager says “God knows how we will come out of the Xmas period” – I really hope he means he is expecting a Miracle from Santa!!
Santi is amazing but I’m not sure how he can stop players getting injured over the Xmas period…..
Regards to the CL game I’m of the que sera sera persuasion. Go through, great. Go out, there’s always next year.
But I can’t accept any lapse in form for the league. This is a very competitive league this season and for the most part we have stood up to be counted. If he can find a CDM to get us through to Feb/March then he will have done what needed to be done to (eventually) find that cover for Coquelin. If he doesn’t and we slip away I’ll be so disappointed!
Thanks Blog.
Does anyone has a link to Rory’s article or a downloaded PDF copy etc. Much appreciated
Of all the transfer speculation the Kokhorin one is one I think has the most legs. The price. The fact it is close season for Russian teams (I think) and the setback Welbeck has had. And he is a decent option. As for the mythical DM – there are players out there who can do that job but it depends on price. The prices I see quoted for players who are effectively destructive and nothing else (not that this isn’t important) is crazy. And, as we’ve seen with the two pricey blokes for Citeh – it does not guarantee an… Read more »
Kokorin would be an alright get, he’s not exactly prolific (about 1 in 2 so far for club and country) but he’s young and rumoured to be currently out of favour with CSKA/Russia boss Leonid Slutsky. From my watching he’s a Danny Welbeck with less pace but better at goalscoring. If the rumoured fee is true it’d be a Wenger buy.
If we were really ruthless we could take their DM (Igor Denisov, Russia international) as well on a short deal or loan as well.
If he’s looking for a midfield player (and I hope he is) then I’d guess he’ll be looking for a B2B player who’s good defensively (Like Paddy, Gilberto, Coquelin etc etc). The only real ‘out and out’ DMs he’s bought were Petite (a CB) and Diawarra (who didn’t stay).
Gilberto and Coquelin are not B2B midfielder. They are defensive midfielders who rarely get into opposition box. They prefer to have other players who are more attack minded in front of them.
No, they’re B2B players that are played as DMs. They both look for their MF creative player but if they are covered, then they can drive forward with the ball themselves.
Petite liked to do this as well but he wasn’t very good at it.
Victor Wanyama anyone?
Personally I am excited by the prospect of a Ramsey / Coquelin combination. It has been said many times that they are not a good combination (Ramsey/Arteta or Coq/Santi), but I see Ramcoq as our midfield pairing for many years to come. Whilst I can see the value of Santi and his contribution link up play, I think that Ramsey will bring far more attacking threat to the team in addition to his work rate. Sure he won’t link up play as well as santi, but Coquelin’s distribution is improving all of the time, and I believe he will be… Read more »
God I love this man. In Wenger I trust. COYG
Ritchie Powling anyone??
It was Diarra not Diawara. The latter (aka a) was a hopeful striker who never scored if my memory is correct, whilst the former was Lassana who signed from Chelski and absconded to Real Madrid not long after.
Yes, sorry. My mistake.