IT’S TIME WENGER THOUGHT ABOUT A PLAN B

ONE constant criticism aimed at Arsene Wenger is that he is afraid of change. He could argue why should he change? Nine major domestic trophies and an entire league season unbeaten is some record. But 21 years into his Arsenal reign, some at the club wish the manager was not so stubborn. Wenger was a pioneer when he arrived in 1996 but his rivals have caught up and, in many cases, overtaken the Frenchman. Now something has to change. If not Wenger, then his approach. There is a feeling that his methods are stuck in 1996. Long gone are the days when Arsenal could blow teams away with their special brand of football. Teams now spend hours in training working on stopping Arsenal. Wenger needs a Plan B. Some of the staff want to see more adaptability in his tactics. It is not in Wenger’s nature to defend. That can be a weakness. Fitness coach Tony Colbert, a key aide for 19 years, plays a big role guiding players through drills. Off track: GPS shows Sanchez is not pulling his weight GETTY IMAGES But there is a sense that sessions need freshening up. Wenger has adopted some modern methods, such as playerspecific nutrition and training. Global Positioning System (GPS) has also become a useful tool. That is how Wenger knows striker Alexis Sanchez has not been pulling his weight recently. But there is a belief that more improvements could be made. Wenger was invited to study methods used by the British and Irish Lions — leaders in employing statistical analysis to improve performance and prevent injury. But adapting rugby to football will hold little appeal for Wenger. Trailing 7-2 to Bayern Munich on aggregate on Tuesday, his message was clear. Attack. Attack. It is endearing that someone is still prepared to chuck the lot at it, no matter the consequences — a 10-2 aggregate defeat. Despite that, Wenger was back on the attack yesterday, insisting UEFA have no choice but to introduce video technology. He was furious with Greek referee Tasos Sidiropoulos for refusing Arsenal a first-half penalty before giving Bayern a dubious spot-kick and sending off Laurent Koscielny. More controversy the next night when Luis Suarez seemed to dive to win a penalty for Barcelona stirred Wenger to say: ‘In the next five years UEFA could face legal action from television or fans if they don’t bring in video. ‘They don’t do the maximum to give a fair spectacle. They can’t offer what we saw for us against Bayern or the night after. It is indefensible.’