Chapter 823 Another Comeback! Wang Shuo Gets It! Last-Second Winner! Wang Shuo, You’re Too Fast! Arsenal’s Iron-Blooded Script!

For example, arranging dedicated man-to-man marking specifically for players like Wang Shuo, Messi, or Ronaldo. But this was rare. The ability to seamlessly switch between man-to-man marking and zonal defending, along with the speed of help defense, was a key indicator of a team’s defensive level. Most importantly, defending and attacking were fundamentally different.

A few very ordinary players could completely build a mature, World-level defensive line through tacit defensive positioning and teamwork. This was exactly why Ferguson had always refused to bring in new midfielders and defenders! Because he believed that as long as the current batch of Manchester United players were developed and formed a tacit understanding, they could build a World-level defensive line.

Of course, the more mainstream approach was actually to build an entire defensive line around one or two World-level defenders (usually center-backs) as the core, and practice until mature. After understanding the current principles of defense, one would realize—where was the Gunners’ main problem right now? It was the man-to-man marking within the thirty-meter zone! And almost entirely on the left flank!

"You know, we used to play a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, which generally utilized a double pivot."

Wenger placed the positional markers for Arsenal’s past 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations directly on the tactics board. They were mostly quite similar.

"We had two players in a deep midfield position to intercept and protect the defensive line.

"But now, we adopt a 4-3-3 formation, and we only have one deep-lying midfielder, which is Alexandre Song.

"In a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 formation, the player in the number ten role is crucial. For example, Bergkamp, or previously Fabregas, Rosicky, Arshavin, and others have all played this position.

"I also once wanted to let Hazard play this position, but later we found that when we have a number ten on the pitch, your range of movement and performance would be restricted.

"Putting you directly as the center-forward in a 4-2-3-1 would greatly weaken your tactical value and threat in the game, and you wouldn’t be able to run freely to wear down the opposition’s defenders.

"We all felt it wasn’t cost-effective, nor was it worth it.

"So the best setup is a 4-3-3."

Having explained this far, Wenger brought up the defensive and offensive issues on the left flank. The coaching staff had actually been considering many different solutions. For instance, Vermaelen was very fast, and Verthongen’s range of movement was quite broad. Arsenal still hoped to cover the shortcomings on the left flank through coordinated help defense from related positions.

"Look, we’ve also used Gibbs and Traore this season. Later, Vermaelen also played on this side, and we brought in Verthongen after the winter break. We did all this hoping to solve this problem.

"But to be honest, as long as it’s defense, mistakes will inevitably be made. And to solve this problem, we need more time, as well as for the players to grow and integrate.

"There’s one more thing, Wang. I’m going to tell you a rule that all mature head coaches around the world abide by."

Wang Shuo’s eyes lit up, and he looked at Wenger with immense curiosity.

"No head coach will easily break up a mature, functioning formation and tactical system that can win matches. Except for that idiot Benitez!"

Hearing the last sentence, when Wenger cursed Benitez, Wang Shuo couldn’t help but want to laugh. What a massive grudge this was! But it had to be said, that guy Benitez sometimes really just changed formations purely for the sake of changing them.

"Let me add one more thing. The hardest part of a head coach managing a team isn’t devising tactics, but how to make the players execute those tactics correctly.

"So, the most important thing is the people!

"Eleven individuals, finally on the same wavelength after much difficulty. Even if it seems like there are quite a few problems right now, we don’t have the time to deal with them, much less disrupt it all.

"Because in the middle of a season, once you lose your footing, nobody knows when you’ll be able to find your form again!

"So, you see, I don’t even dare to use Verthongen heavily."

Wenger’s words truly opened Wang Shuo’s eyes. As a player, he mostly just felt that the team’s left-flank defense had issues. He lacked that kind of comprehensive, strategic thinking. Wenger’s rationale might seem conservative, but in reality, it was exactly about stability. Because Arsenal was capable of getting results right now! Should they risk a tactical collapse just to solve the defensive issues on the left flank?

Most importantly, people were not machines. It wasn’t like you could try something for a few matches, realize it didn’t work, and just revert to the original tactics. That was a fool’s errand! What was most likely to happen was that after hitting a wall with the experiment, you wouldn’t be able to return to the way things were at all. Therefore, a head coach’s usual approach was to stick to one tactical system and one lineup to the death, using it until a severe problem arose and they had to change it before making any major adjustments.

Wang Shuo understood! Wenger had explained so much, in truth, simply hoping Wang Shuo would understand that the coaching staff had their own difficulties and considerations. As for defensive training, fighting on multiple fronts meant there wasn’t even time for normal, targeted tactical drills. He could only wait until the team had some downtime to arrange it at his discretion.

"Wang, I hope you understand. Moving forward, the most important thing for us is still scoring goals!

"As long as we can always score one more goal than our opponents, victory will belong to us!"

Obviously, Wenger was pinning all his hopes on Wang Shuo.

On the evening of March 6, the London Emirates Stadium was packed to the brim. This was the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 knockout stage, with Arsenal hosting AC Milan at home.