Arsene Wenger

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 10-yard 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.
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


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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.