Arsene Wenger wants his team to be more aggressive as they threaten once again to be great under-achievers.
In the first decade of his reign at Arsenal, Wenger spent much of his time defending the physical excesses of players likes Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Lee Dixon, and Ian Wright.
But that aggression came with a backdrop of silverware – and since 2005, the Brasso has not been out at The Emirates.
Wenger said: "Maybe we need to be a bit more physical. When the referees see our team sheet they say: 'Oh, Arsenal – fantastic'. We have physical players, but maybe have to restructure the balance of the team.
"We have the characters to do it. We have technical players but we also have physical players."
Yet Wenger still wants avoid a challenge from his men like the one that earned Vincent Kompany a red card during Manchester City's 2-0 win at The Emirates.
The FA overturned referee Mike Dean's decision last week and Kompany's sending off was downgraded to a caution. But Wenger maintained: "The tackle was technically bad – and it can be seen as a red card.
"The guy who comes in with two legs doesn't know where he will finish. I was surprised when Kompany's red card was overturned. I don't think Kompany meant to hurt Wilshere. But it was a clumsy and technically a bad tackle."
Meanwhile Per Mertesacker has hit back at Sol Campbell's claim that Arsenal lack leadership and character.
The Gunners go to Chelsea today full of confidence and fighting for a top-four spot. However, former Arsenal legend Campbell believes the Gunners lack leadership.
Campbell played 135 games over five years at Arsenal, and was a member of the Invincibles side that went the entire 2003-2004 season unbeaten.
He said: "They have good players for sure – like Jack Wilshere. They play fantastic football, but when it comes down to the final moments, that is when you need leaders. You need five of them. One guy with a lot of passion is not enough."
But Mertesacker – who holds down the central defensive role Campbell filled – says character is one of Arsenal's big assets.
The German international said: "We showed character in the second half against Manchester City and we did it again against Swansea.
"So we can go to Chelsea with optimism. We showed last season that we can go there and win.
"We have to show confidence, that is the most important thing. We are always dangerous – always. That must be our target at Chelsea. Let's show our ability and character there."
Mertesacker dismissed Campbell's suggestion that Arsenal lack natural leaders.
He added: "We have a good squad with young and experienced players. We have a good balance – but now everybody has to stick togther."
Meanwhile, Wenger will be offered a massive £30million deal by Paris Saint-Germain to quit Arsenal this summer.
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