MIKEL ARTETA and Arsenal’s current management could learn from Arsene Wenger’s philosophy, according to Tony Adams.
The former Gunners captain has been left baffled by the recruitment and team selection at Emirates Stadium this season.
Tony Adams wants to see a replication of the glory years experienced under Arsene WengerCredit: Reuters
Willian is yet to score in 16 appearances for ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The signing of Willian led to 54-year-old Adams lamenting the lack of ‘DNA’ at the club, in stark contrast to Wenger’s tenure.
He told Stadium Astro: “[Willian] is lazy recruitment, for me.
“You’ve got to really question the recruitment process at Arsenal at the moment.
“We’ve had some wonderful players and wonderful principles under Arsene Wenger.
“He went for a young player, you wouldn’t have even considered Willian if Arsene was still in control at the club.
“For him a forward over the age of 30, physiologically he wouldn’t think he could get that player to consistently to perform to the levels that Arsene would want him to get, it wouldn’t even have been on the agenda.
One thing I never criticised Wenger for was his principles. He was a physiologist, ‘This is the player that I want, I want to play like this’.
Tony Adams
“This is a straightforward agent recommendation, he’s got the same agent as the sporting director [Edu] so it’s an easy option for him, three-year contract, there we go. I think it’s really poor recruitment.
“As a coach, you’ve been given this player, you wanted this player. You don’t have to play them.
“He’s not playing [Mesut] Ozil, one of the greatest creative players there is.
“And to have someone like Willian, one shot in 12 games. I’m like, ‘Hold on put [Joe] Willock out there’. We’ve got [Gabriel] Martinelli back. You’ve got other options.”
Wenger left in 2018 and Adams was among the pundits criticising the Frenchman in the later years of his Arsenal era.
But he felt the confident, single-minded approach that the three-time title winner brought was vital to growing the club.
Adams added: “I was criticising Arsene during the end of his days [at Arsenal].
“But one thing I never criticised him for was his principles. He was a physiologist, ‘This is the player that I want, I want to play like this’.
“Santi Cazorla comes to mind, players that get from to box to box, Aaron Ramsey, Gael Clichy, Kieran Gibbs.
“When I joined the club, Arsenal had principles, DNA. The first thing they looked at was attitude. You’ve got to bring people in who want to play for Arsenal.
“First things first, the sporting director, whoever is leading this ship, has to come up with a DNA.”
After a 2-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday, Arteta’s Gunners face Manchester City on Tuesday in a Carabao Cup quarter-final.
Chelsea then await on Boxing Day for the 15th-placed side.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
