By Jim Van Wijk, Press Association
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Manager Arsene Wenger feels it could be time for Arsenal to turn back the clock to get 'a bit more physical and aggressive' as they look to force themselves back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.
The Gunners head to Chelsea tomorrow to take on a team against which, last season apart, they had struggled to match in terms of strength on the ball.
Wenger's great Invincibles side never had such problems, with the likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira coming out on top in the duels, his players receiving more than their fare share of red cards since he took over in September 1996.
Time to get physical: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger (pictured) would like the team to be more aggressive like the great Arsenal teams of the past
The French coach believes while Arsenal's new generation have taken their game to another level in terms of finesse, an added edge would not go a miss.
'Maybe we have to go back a little bit, not less technical but a bit more physical and aggressive,' said Wenger, who yesterday was boosted by the confirmation Theo Walcott had finally signed a contract extension.
'I think that when [referees] see Arsenal on the sheet, they say "oh fantastic" [to referee them].
'This side are physical players, but we have to restructure the balance of the team a little bit.
'The players have the character to do it. The [likes of] [Jack] Wilshere are technical players, but they are also physical players.'
Rough and tumble: Past players such as Patrick Vieira (left) had no problem with the physical side of the game
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was shown a red card in last weekend's 2-0 Premier League victory at Emirates Stadium for a challenge on Wilshere, which referee Mike Dean viewed as leading with both feet off the ground and dangerous.
That decision was subsequently overturned on appeal by the Football Association.
Wenger feels the art of tackling is in danger of being lost.
'Tackling is a technique,' he said.
'I don't think that Kompany wanted to hurt Wilshere. I think it was a clumsy tackle, and technically a bad tackle and it can be seen as a red card.
'For me, the tackle facing the player is one leg on the ground, and the other leg is bent, where you can see that you give a pass when you intercept the ball - the guy that jumps in with two legs doesn't know where he finishes.
'I believe that a full-back who tackles and wins the ball back with one leg, and gets up with the ball, it is an art.'
Seeing red: Manchester City's Vincent Kompany (right) sees red for this challenge, Wenger believes the art of tackling is being lost
Chelsea have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, failing to win any of their three home games this year - which have included two defeats.
Following the 2-2 draw with Southampton on Wednesday night, after his side had blown a two-goal lead, interim manager Rafael Benitez again came in for criticism from some sections of the Stamford Bridge faithful.
With Didier Drogba having left after their European Cup triumph, and the future of long-serving midfielder Frank Lampard uncertain, the Blues are viewed as a club in transition.
Wenger, though, does not feel the regeneration of the squad will have a major impact on Roman Abramovich's plans for continued progress.
Secured: Theo Walcott signs his new deal at Arsenal
'They have the financial potential to rebuild the team, which they are doing,' the Arsenal manager said.
'They lost some historical players, like happened to us. It's difficult [to rebuild], but there is still a good cheque book.
'Chelsea have bought great players. They bought Luiz, they bought Hazard, they bought Mata.'
Abramovich has a history of wasting no time in making changes at the top, with Roberto di Matteo removed earlier this season despite having won both the FA Cup and Champions League.
Wenger said: 'They are so high on a financial planet that you can always get what you need.'
In transition: Wenger says Chelsea, who face Arsenal on Sunday, have the financial power to rebuild the club even if they lose stars like Frank Lampard (pictured)
Arsenal is doomed until the manager and the board remember they run a football club and not an investment portfolio for big Stan.
- OpenEyes , London England, 20/1/2013 06:38
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