Football FanCast columnist Alex
Dimond reacts to the leaked Arsenal documents and wonders if the content is
further evidence of the meticulous preparation that comes from Arsene Wenger.
In an age of frequent
government leaks, the 244 word document left behind at the Reebok Stadium on
Saturday will hardly trouble the front-pages. Arsene Wenger, however, might be
bemoaning his luck.
The document, produced
and distributed by Wenger and his team of sports psychologists to the members
of the Arsenal squad, gives a great insight into the exact preparation that
goes into every match. Nothing, it seems, is left to chance.
The document, reported by The Daily Telegraph, begins with the statement "A team is as strong as the relationships within it." It then goes on to list a few key ways in which the team relationships can be strengthened:
"Displaying a positive attitude on and off the pitch.
"Everyone making the right decisions for the team.
"Have an unshakeable belief that we can achieve our target.
"Believe in the strength of the team.
"Always want more - always give more."
Few would argue with the results at the Reebok, as Arsenal came from behind to record a solid 3-1 win that sent them clear at the top of Premier League. But perhaps more pleasingly for Wenger, the win was just another in a line of good domestic results - as the players have consistently shown their positive attitude, unshakeable belief, and desire for more ever since that shock defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Do other Premiership clubs produce similar handouts before a game? Quite probably - few sides in the top flight don't have a sports psychologist attached to the first-team, trained to work on the mental side of the game.
But the leaked document is yet another insight into the meticulous preparation of Arsene Wenger - and yet more justification for those who think the Frenchman is a visionary - who seemingly leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of success.
So far this season, it appears to be working.