Park the bus? I’ll stick to my guns, says Wenger
ARSENE WENGER says he will not follow the example of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho by telling his team to ‘park the bus’ in their hunt for trophies next season.
The Arsenal manager could be forgiven if he employed negative tactics against the top sides next year following some big defeats which have cost his team any chance of the title.
Arsenal conceded six goals against both Manchester City and Chelsea this season, while they also let in five at Anfield.
But Wenger says he will keep playing to his strengths and would never ask his attacking players to change. He said: ‘We conceded too many goals in some of these games. But overall our policy is to try to play our game because it’s the qualities of our players.
‘I think the system of the team is to adapt to the quality of the players because we have so many offensive players.
‘We just play to our strengths. It doesn’t always work unfortunately. You have to go for a style although sometimes you can change your style. The regret is that defensively we have not been strong enough in these games.
‘A style is a long-term plan. On the short term you can always change because it’s all dictated by the confidence of the team and the confidence of the team is dictated by the results. You cannot swim against the stream.’
Victory today at the Emirates against West Bromwich will guarantee Arsenal fourth place and European football next season.
Wenger will want to put the issue to bed before they play Norwich next Sunday.
They face Hull in the FA Cup final in two weeks’ time but Wenger says he will not put out a weak team against Norwich if Arsenal have nothing to play for. Norwich are in the relegation zone and the result could affect other teams but Wenger knows he has a duty to the rest.
He said: ‘Our target is to make maximum points until the end of the season, no matter what the result on Sunday will be.
‘I will absolutely try to achieve that. As well as Arsenal Football Club we have a responsibility to be fair, even if it goes well (today).’