How Arsene Wenger fires up his team

By: Rob | September 23rd, 2008

Have you ever wondered how a Prem manager fires up his team? OK with Mr Alex, you probably can hazard a guess that he just shouts at them. But what about one of the quieter ones? What about, say, Arsene Wenger?

Well over at the Guardian, they’ve come across one of the handouts Arsene gives his players before a big game – in this case the match against Bolton on Sunday – for them to read over the night before. Homework if you will.

“This attitude can be used by our team to focus on the gratitude … that the team brings to our own lives”

That’s just a couple of lines. Wenger has of course revolutionised Arsenal since he joined in 1996, turning them from a stumbling bunch of alcoholics (see Tony Adams and Paul Merson) who played dull football, to a joyous attacking side, who ate sensibly and didn’t lead rock ‘n’ roll lifestyles.

The other key point on the paper, apparently, was that Arsenal should play away even as they do at home. It all sounds a bit wanky and like it shouldn’t have the effect desired on grown men, but hell, most of them are kids anyway.

And there isn’t any arguing with a 3-1 win is there?