Arsene
Wenger’s
Methods,
Part
2




Nutrition
and
Weight
Management





Use
a
dietician
to
provide
support
on
the
player’s
diet

Produce
a
handbook
of
what
players
can
and
can’t
eat
for
home
use
by
wives
and
families




Base
foods
which
make
up
diet

1‐cerial

2‐white
cheese

3‐white
meat

4‐pasta

5‐purees




Outline
clearly
the
benefits
of
every
meal




All
players
and
back
room
staff
must
eat
the
same
meals




Use
low
fat
products

Serve
still
water
at
room
temperature

Cold
drinks
are
bad
for
digestion

No
smoking

Remove
high
sugar
puddings

Eat
more
raw
vegetables

No
bread
or
butter
with
meals

No
picking
or
snacking
before
meals




Players
should
be
weighed
before
each
session
body
fat
should
be
measured
if
the
percentage
is
above
12

percent
the
player
should
be
excluded
from
squad
until
the
excess
is
worked
off.




Player
Management
and
Psychology





Encourage
players
to
ask
why
a
drill
or
tactical
exercise
is
useful
and
encourage
them
to
want
to
learn

why
it
is
important
to
improve
this
side
of
their
game,
always
ask
questions
of
the
players
this
enhances
a

player’s
commitment
to
the
training.




Wenger
stresses
that
commitment
to
thorough
preparation
is
the
base
of
success.
To
create
a
professional

attitude
Wenger
insists
that
players
to
arrive
30mins
before
training
to
prepare
mentally
for
the
session.

This
ensures
that
players
have
a
relaxed
and
calm
attitude
that
Wenger
insists
is
essential
to
effective

training.
Calmness
should
be
combined
with
hard
work
and
strict
discipline.




Wenger’s
three
golden
rules
for
training:

• Look
out
for
each
other
on
the
pitch

• Keep
a
strong
work
ethic

• Pay
attention
to
detail




Wenger’s
affirmations




Wenger
is
a
big
believer
in
psychology
and
shouts
affirmations
during
training
these
are
based
on
NLP

and
use
techniques
such
as
embedded
commands.
The
aim
is
to
motivate
an
empower
the
player
to
have

confidence
when
in
control
of
the
ball.
Wenger’s
affirmations:




• Play
to
your
strength’s
you
will
win

• No
success
without
sacrifice

• Get
hold
of
the
ball
and
believe
you
can
win

• Remember
the
details
work
on
the
basics




Wenger’s
approach
to
team
building
is
underpinned
by
communication,
trust,
confidence
and
self
belief
in

the
players
own
unique
strengths
when
in
possession
of
the
ball.
This
process
has
three
steps
which
are

built
around
the
psychological
factors
which
Wenger
believes
most
contribute
to
the
result:




1.





General
team
cohesion
encouraging
a
forward
thinking
mentality.


2.





Concentration
as
a
defensive
block.

3.





Refinement
of
individual
strengths.




Wenger
Believes
preparation
is
the
key
to
success
he
sums
this
up
with
the
following
formulas(which
are

handed
to
players
in
the
player
handbook)
focusing
on
what
makes
a
team
and
the
equation
for
selection

for
match
play:




The
team
formula=(1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11)xN




N=the
influence
of
the
coach




An
under
prepared
player
subtracts
from
the
ability
of
the
team
therefore
the
role
of
the
coach
is
to

prepare
the
team
and
provide
a
transfer
of
confidence.




Performance+
consistent
effort
in
training=selection
for
the
team




 


Wenger’s
coaching
behaviour
is
based
around
the
concept
of
simplicity
and
directness
with
players.
Each

player
is
handed
a
tactical
role
on
the
pitch
which
is
documented
as
simply
as
possible,
each
players

performance
is
then
measured
and
documented.
Wenger’s
communication
is
kept
simple
and
consistent

focusing
on
coaching
points
delivered
in
an
instructional
manner.
Wenger
will
deliver
this
in
the
players

own
language
as
this
can
increase
the
rapport
and
motivation
of
the
player.
The
status
of
the
player
does

not
affect
how
direct
Wenger
is
as
he
does
not
deviate
from
this
formula
as
he
believes
every
team

member
should
be
coached
equally.
Mistakes
are
not
punished
in
training
as
Wenger
believes
this
is
only

way
to
learn.
Issues
of
discipline
are
only
discussed
face
to
face
in
private.
Wenger
uses
unpredictability
of

mood
as
a
weapon
believing
that
loss
of
temper
can
take
a
player
off
guard
but
believes
this
should
only

be
used
5
times
per
season.
Wenger
believes
that
strictness
as
a
coach
is
the
best
way
to
build
respect
this

quality
is
also
imitated
by
the
players.
Wenger
believes
that
players
should
have
stints
on
the
bench
to

keep
them
grounded
and
create
humility.




Daily
training
schedule
and
lesson
structure




Wenger
requires
his
players
his
players
to
undertake
the
following
daily
schedule:




• Warm
ups
are
long
focusing
on
games
such
as
soccer
tennis,
Pilates
all
exercises
are
watched
by

fitness
trainer.
This
then
moved
onto
strength
training.

• Strength
training
consists
of
two
isometric
sessions
which
are
performed
in
the
normal
day,
one

before
and
one
after
every
normal
training
session.
These
sessions
consist
of
isometrics
divided

into
heavy
and
light
muscle
groups
specific
for
performance,
the
focus
is
on
mobility
and
strength.

These
exercises
take
place
in
the
weight
room
and
are
overseen
fitness
specialist
by
use
of
a
video

system.
To
perform
these
exercise
machines
should
be
loaded
to
full
to
provide
resistance
in
the

form
maximal
effort.
20
repetitions
are
used
for
heavy
muscle
groups
and
12
reps
for
light
might

muscle
groups,
each
rep
is
held
for
ten
seconds.
These
are
used
as
a
form
of
injury
rehabilitation

or
for
strength
training
when
there
is
an
ability
to
focus
on
injury
prevention
as
stress
on
the

joints
in
minimised
due
to
less
reps
of
traditional
strength
exercises
being
useful.
Isometrics
are

also
useful
for
older
players
to
maintain
strength
due
to
decreasing
joint
stability
which
comes

with
an
increase
in
age.
These
should
be
performed
after
a
basic
strength
program
of
six
weeks.

• Players
then
move
on
to
training
which
is
never
more
than
90minutes
in
duration.
These
training

sessions
are
made
up
of
a
variety
of
training
methods
which
are
aimed
at
improving
one
tactical

or
technical
theme
through
different
periods
of
the
game
or
in
specific
tactical
situations.

• Efficiency
of
game
play
is
constantly
improved
with
technique
and
coordination
training
focusing

on
minimising
mistakes.

• When
introducing
new
concepts
or
methods
to
the
group
Wenger
will
do
this
during
the
first
half

of
the
training
sessions
when
players
are
fresh
and
the
method
can
be
evaluated
properly,
if
it

works
it
is
kept
if
not
is
discarded.

 • Players
train
first
with
variations
of
4v4,5v5,6v6
or
7v7
small
sided
games
with
dual
themes,
1v1

situations
on
goal
will
be
worked
on
then
progressed
onto
shooting
games
in
constricted
spaces.

Patterns
of
play
focusing
on
passing
combinations
which
brake
lines
are
also
worked
on.
During

these
patterns
players
concentrate
on
the
quality
of
technique
the
aim
being
to
perform
these

patterns
perfectly
at
high
speeds.
Games
are
played
in
constricted
spaces
to
increase
speed
of

thought.
All
drills
are
timed
to
the
stopwatch
and
players
are
moved
from
drill
to
drill
as
fast

possible.

• Players
then
move
onto
practicing
positional
games
based
on
practicing
quick
transitions.

• Training
then
moves
to
tactical
exercises,
Wenger
believes
that
only
three
tactical
exercises
aimed

at
improving
team
cohesion
otherwise
the
team
will
be
overloaded.
Players
will
learn
during

these
games
what
their
role
on
the
pitch
is.
8
v
8
games
with
one
goal
focusing
on
cohesion

between
defence
and
midfield.

9
v0

games
with
one
goal
focusing
on
passing
patterns
from
the

defensive
third,
through
the
midfield
third
and
into
the
attacking
third
ending
with
a
shot
on
goal.

8
v.
8
exercises
on
two
goals
with
two
thirds
of
the
field
in
use
focusing
on
moving
the
ball

forward
through
the
midfield.

• Players
then
move
onto
a
long
cool
down
and
the
second
weight
training
routine.




Wenger
believes
that
training
should
be
aimed
at
maximising
individual
player
strengths
and
minimising

weakness.
Training
should
be
conducted
in
serene
surroundings
as
Wenger
believes
this
distracts
players

from
the
thought
of
intense
effort
during
practice
allowing
them
to
focus
on
quality
in
training.
Wenger

also
uses
this
time
in
training
to
make
assessments
of
each
player’s
value
in
terms
of
position
if
he

believes
his
tests
show
more
value
for
a
position
the
player
plays
in
he
will
redesign
the
player.



Wenger
training
Drills



The
following
are
drills
from
Wengers
own
training
sessions.




8
v.
2
in
a
10
x
10­yard
area
playing
1
touch(8
positioned
2
on
each
line
of
area)

Count
passes
in
succession,
award
extra
point(s)
for
any
through
ball
that
split
the
2

Defenders.
Defenders
must
win
or
disturb
3
possessions
to
get
out
–
any
through
ball
regains

the
possession
group
with
1
extra
possession

Coaching
Points

·
Possession
team
must
play
quick
in
tight
area
with
good
touch

·
Anticipate
the
next
pass,
be
creative
and
deceptive,
use
a
variety
of
touches
and

Feints
–
seek
out
best
option

·
Defenders
must
apply
pressure
to
the
ball
and
support
the
pressure

·
Constant
communication
between
the
2
and
shifting
of
positions
relative
to
the
ball

·
If
he
defence
plays
flat,
a
through
ball
can
beat
them,
thus,
it
is
1
player
up
and
player

1
off




3
v.
1
to
5
v.
3
in
a
20
x
15
yard
area
and
a
10
x
10
yard
area

Start
inside
with
3
v.
1
playing
1
or
2
touch.
When
the
1
defender
wins
the
ball,
he
plays
out
to

the
4
outside
players
who
play
possession,
now
making
it
a
5
v.
3
game
in
the
larger
area.

When
the
1
defender
in
the
middle
wins
the
ball,
he
must
quickly
transition
the
ball
to
the

outside
players.
The
3
in
the
middle
must
remain
compact
on
defence
and
deny
the
through

ball.




4
v.
2
in
a
15
x
10
yard
area
playing
with
1
goal
with
keeper

The
3
outside
plus
the
keeper
play
possession
(1
or
2
touch)
vs
the
2
inside
players
–
when

the
inside
player
wins
the
ball,
he
immediately
takes
a
shot
at
goal.
If
the
keeper
makes
a

save,
resume
possession
play.
Keep
extra
balls
available
to
keep
the
game
going.

Coaching
Points

·
The
possession
group
will
focus
on
quick
and
accurate
touches

·
The
keeper
plays
as
a
field
player
and
improves
his
skills
with
feet

·
The
2
inside
players
defend
with
the
intent
to
win
the
ball
and
have
an
immediate

shot
at
goal

·
Make
teams
and
keep
score
–
make
it
competitive
–
set
a
time
limit
to
play




7
+
keeper
vs.
5
in
3
zones
of
25
yards
x
50
yards
width

the
team
of
5
plays
to
the
goal
with
the
keeper,
while
the
team
of
7
play
to
the
small
goals.

The
team
of
5
must
transition
to
gaol
within
4
touches,
while
the
team
7
+
k
must
play
2
touch

to
the
small
goal

Coaching
Points

·
The
team
of
7
must
open
the
field
up
with
a
good
shape
in
order
to
keep
possession

·
The
team
of
5,
must
stay
compact
in
defence

·
Keeper
plays
with
team
of
7




4
v.
2
in
2
zones
to
1
goal
with
keeper

play
in
an
area
of
20
x
30
yards
(
2
of
each)

2
areas
of
20
w
x
15
l

play
starts
with
4
v
2
in
a
possession
game
–
when
the
2
inside
players
win
the
ball,
they
play

2
v.
1
to
leave
the
zone
and
then
play
2
v.
2
in
the
other
zone
trying
to
score
a
goal.
The
2

waiting
players
players
are
the
defenders
in
the
second
zone
–
should
they
win
the
ball,
they

return
it
to
the
4
players
of
the
first
zone
and
the
original
2
inside
players
and
defend.
If
a
goal

is
scored,
the
scoring
group
remains
in
zone
2
and
the
other
group
goes
to
zone
1
and
plays

4
v.
2

Coaching
Points

·
Possession
team
has
only
1
aim:
keep
the
ball

·
Defending
2
players
must
win
the
ball,
win
a
2
v.
1
duel,
and
then
play
2
v.
2
and
try

to
score

·
The
2
waiting
players
must
defend
and
play
out
to
the
possession
players

·
If
they
concede
a
goal,
then
they
become
the
defenders
in
the
first
zone

·
Divide
into
groups
of
4
and
rotate
the
players
into
different
positions




Training
on
the
morning
before
a
game
and
half
time
team
talk:




Training
on
the
morning
of
the
game
should
concentrate
on:




1.






A
walk
through
of
the
tactics
to
be
used
in
the
game

2.






A

45
minute
talk
on
the
opponent
concentrating
on
who
to
mark,
how
they
play
and
who




the

main
threats
are
in
the
defensive
third.
Players
are
then
handed
a
file
to
read
and
told
to
sleep
and

allow
information
to
become
subconscious.


3. Only
the
manager,
physiotherapist
and
the
assistant
should
be
allowed
in
the
dressing
room

before
a
game.
This
period
is
for
players
to
visualise
their
own
part
in
the
performance.
During

this
time
Wenger
will
most
challenge
older
players
to
take
the
lead
on
the
pitch.




Half
time
team
talk

1.





Point
out
psychological
weakness

2.





Missed
passes,
tackles
and
shots

3.





Point
out
instances
of
lack
of
concentration




Wenger
and
Reflective
coaching




Wenger
is
a
believer
in
reflective
coaching
and
believes
these
are
some
of
the
most
important
questions
a

coach
should
ask:




·








Why
do
some
players
play
well
and
other
players
play
badly
in
certain
games?

·








What
is
the
organisation
of
the
defence?

·








What
is
the
structure
and
organisation
of
the
team?

·








What
would
happen
if
different
players
were
used
in
different
positions
or
roles?

·








How
can
balance
between
the
different
elements
of
training,
management
and
coaching
be

achieved?

·








Can
training
methods
used
in
other
sports
be
useful
in
football?

·








How
can
I
build
video
match
analysis
into
my
own
learning?

·








How
can
I
make
it
clear
to
players
why
something
needs
to
be
done?

·








How
can
I
put
my
ideas
across
quickly
and
simply?

·








What
role
do
players
and
support
staff
play
at
the
club?







Wenger
believes
the
coach
should
have
the
following
core
values:




·








Discipline

·








Mastery
of
words

·








Willingness
to
work
hard

·








Respect
others

·








Have
confidence
in
others

·








Concentration

·








Attention
to
detail

·








Open
to
ideas/willingness
to
try
new
methods

·








Calmness

·








Loyalty




Performance
analysis
and
transference
drills

Wenger
uses
performance
analysis
which
is
detail
focused
and
includes
the
following
points.:

• Ball
speed
during
passing,
Wenger
defines
fast
ball
speed
during
passing
as
a
key
to
winning
in

the
modern
game,
technical
points
aim
to
reduce
the
time
from
control
to
pass
and
then
moving

to
receive
a
pass.


• Passing
direction
mainly
measuring
which
players
pass
forward
the
most
out
a
natural
tendency

as
Wenger
believes
these
are
the
ones
who
can
be
more
easily
moulded
to
play
forward
during

the
game.


• Passing
accuracy
measuring
which
passes
and
from
where
on
the
pitch
they
are
most
accurate

and
from
which
player,
Wenger
then
aims
to
put
that
particular
player
in
a
situation
where
he
can

maximise
his
passing.


• First
touch
analysing
speed
in
opening
body
and
moving
the
ball
forward
to
enable
passing

forward.


• Ball
control
which
players
keep
control
under
pressure
in
confined
spaces,
on
the
move
and

where
in
a
players
stride
can
a
player
keep
maximal
control
when
maintaining
maximum
pace

allowing
moves
to
be
refined
for
maximum
speed.


• Physical
capacity
in
each
position,
Wenger
monitors
the
effect
of
age
and
training
type
on
position

specific
qualities.
Also
used
to
evaluate
which
form
of
training
after
injury
brought
a
player
to

peak
faster
and
with
better
results.
Used
to
measure
work
rate
and
pace
of
attacking
moves.
If

this
is
not
up
to
standard
Wenger
will
work
on
specifics
during
training
for
example
if
a
player
is

too
slow
on
overlaps
he
will
have
the
players
perform
timed
agility
runs
as
he
believes
individual

elements
detract
from
overall
quality.


• Shooting,
Measuring
shots
on
target,
speed
of
ball,
spin
striking
part
of
foot
and
speed
from

control
to
shot.