Layth Yousif
The author of The Life and Times of Herbert Chapman, Patrick Barclay, took time out from his busy schedule to have a chat with The Gooner’s Layth Yousif about the North London Derby, Tim Sherwood’s best impression of Wenger’s Basil Fawlty, tomorrow’s game against Chelsea, Mourinho’s ‘crass’ comments about Wenger, and why we should fear Wigan in the FA Cup Semi Final.
What did you think of Arsenal’s performance in the North London derby?
It was a pretty good Arsenal reinvention, they had far less possession than they normally would, around 40%, and defended deep from the constant attacks but their defending was very good. And although I thought Spurs played well with a high tempo, I also thought Arsenal coped with them very well.
Certainly the centre halves Laurent Koscielny and the German Per Mertesacker were two of the more reliable performers, I thought they played very well and looked solid, along with the goalkeeper for the most part. It seems at the moment it doesn’t matter which goalkeeper plays in front of them they are defending well. As for Sagna [and his challenge on Danny Rose] it should have been an orange card, the referee erred on the side of caution. And I thought Rosicky’s goal was one mighty potshot. The result sets up Arsenal’s game at Chelsea this Saturday and Wenger against Mourinho.
What did you think of the difference between Sherwood and Wenger during the game?
Well, Sherwood gave us an impression of Arsene Wenger’s best Basil Fawlty, even if we are getting to the stage when entertainment by dugout is starting to bore. I think you could see that Wenger was the more experienced manager, whereas Sherwood let his frustrations get the better of him again because of the fact that they had far more chances and possession yet lost the game.
What do you think will happen next in the race for the title?
It has been a great season top and bottom so far, so much so that I do not know what matches to ignore on Match of the Day at the moment! At the top, it is the best race I can remember, I stand to be corrected but to have four teams challenging for the title is unprecedented in the modern era and makes it extremely exciting. What Arsenal’s result against Spurs means for Arsenal fans and London football is that Saturday’s game will be even more anticipated.
I have felt ever since Mourinho made his crass remark about Wenger that this game would not need Wenger to give a team talk. His recent criticism of Arsene was crass - and bear in mind Mourinho didn’t apologise for it. I really don’t think that Arsene will have to do a team talk this weekend, certainly not – Mourinho did it for him. The Arsenal players will be acutely aware of their responsibilities because of what he said.
Why do you think Wenger hasn’t yet beaten Mourinho in his time in England?
Mourinho gradually learned how to counteract ‘tiki-taka’ football and Barcelona-like teams, and he wants to win one on ones I guess, because it matters very much to Mourinho. And let’s not forget beating Arsenal is a benchmark – if you beat them the chances are that you will finish around the top of the league, certainly in the top four.
In terms of preparation Wenger is not a tactical manager, not in the Mourinho sense. And frankly Mourinho also has better players - probably only by a matter of one percent at the moment - but those small margins make all the difference. I don’t think there’s any voodoo. I have a huge respect for Wenger, it’s just that Chelsea have had the edge over Arsenal in recent times just as Chelsea have had the edge over Tottenham, albeit for a longer period of time.
Finally, do you have any words of warning for Arsenal when they play Wigan in the FA Cup Semi Final?
Be afraid be very afraid. Wigan are a well-managed club and are rather like Everton in terms of the fact they’ve had one excellent manager and replaced him with another manager capable of carrying on the previous man’s good work, Uwe Rossler for Roberto Martinez.
I was looking at Wigan’s subs bench on for their Championship game on Saturday and they had [Josh] McEachran who was hailed as one of the best young players in England at one stage and is still owned by Chelsea. They also had Nick Powell, Manchester United loanee and one of the best young players to come out of Manchester United - via Crewe. He is a very powerful player [I mention that I saw him play for Crewe at Underhill against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup as few seasons back – Where did he play? Patrick asks eagerly. In midfield I reply].
Yes, I think his best position is in midfield as he is dynamic and if his development continues he could be very much in the Bryan Robson mould although perhaps not at that level. They also had Callum McManaman, man of the match in last year’s final, and a player who was mentioned in England terms last year.
Wigan play football – Arsenal won’t mind that, but yes Arsenal need to be very concerned and treat the tie as seriously as the Everton quarter final – it is going to be testing for them.
Thanks for your time Patrick.
No problem. Can I just say that the interest I’ve had from Arsenal fans regarding the book has been great. It makes it very hard for me as a neutral when I’ve had such a great time meeting many Arsenal fans including those involved with AISA and AST so I thank you all very much for that.
You can buy Patrick’s stunning book on the life and times of Herbert Chapman here
Long term Arsenal season ticket holder Layth has written for The Islington Gazette, The London Evening Standard, The Sunday People, When Saturday Comes, World Soccer, Four-Four-Two, In Bed With Maradona, The Football Pink and The Inside Left amongst many others.
Follow Layth on Twitter @laythy29
