Wenger's right tactics with Arsenal's wrong men

Arsene Wenger is among the wise old men of the football game.

Le Professor is not only hailed as a master of tactics, but of spotting, developing and creating world-beaters.

This is why it is hard to understand why his own players are unable to see his vision, and more importantly, choose to question it openly.

Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott have both been carping on about central striker roles.

Yet, all the good work against Fulham came from the wings.

At the heart of a classic Wenger team is wing-play and this is where Arsenal have been most vulnerable and lacking.

Consider all the great Arsenal talent of the past – from the wing-backs of the likes of Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy, to the greatest hitmen in recent footballing lore, Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie, the wings were it all began.

In the case of Henry, he continued to cut a swate across the front-line, from wing to wing.

It’s unlikely he would have been carping on about a more central role.

Theo Walcott, perhaps, needs to realise that if he wants to be the next henry he needs to do it on the wings first.

Walcott did more damage against Fulham on and from the wings then when he was more central.

The lack of wingmen severely seems to cripple Wenger’s attacking options – leaving him with Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta to do all the creating down the middle – which means teams can prepare and block easily.

Gervinho seemed to offer Wenger that wide capability, until he lost steam and now, is injured.

Wenger’s decision to play Santos is again driven by the need for a wing-back who can get down the flanks.

Much more than his leaky defence or his patchy goal-scorers, Wenger needs a Speedy Gonazles or two down the sides.

The other team that has been struggling with wide options is also struggling right now – Manchester City.

Is the January buy going to be about wingers.