‘Not good vs evil’ – Ange Postecoglou defends Arsenal over ‘dark arts’
Ange Postecoglou has admitted that, while he personally dislikes the “dark arts” of football, he holds no grievances against Arsenal’s use of them.
The aftermath of Manchester City’s intense draw with Arsenal has sparked debates, with opinions split over the Gunners’ tactics.
Their time-wasting strategies and defensive maneuvers have garnered both praise and criticism from pundits and rival players alike.
As the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Postecoglou had firsthand experience of these tactics during the recent North London Derby, where his team suffered a defeat against Arsenal.
Despite this, he acknowledges that such tactics are simply part of the game. However, he remains firm in his belief that he won’t be instructing his players in the same methods, staying true to his principles.
When questioned during a press conference ahead of Spurs’ Europa League clash against Qarabag, Postecoglou responded to the idea of Arsenal’s “dark arts” with a lighthearted remark, saying, “You’re making it sound like good versus evil, like Batman versus… whoever, I don’t know my superheroes that well.” He emphasized that these tactics have always existed in football, and while effective, they are not something he endorses or teaches.
Postecoglou expressed that he doesn’t know how to engage in such methods, as they aren’t aligned with his style of management. However, he recognizes the effectiveness of disruptive tactics in unsettling the opposition.
For him, the key is to maintain discipline and not get distracted by teams that attempt to break momentum. He stressed that every team, in some form, tries to destabilize their opponents, whether through disruption or by attempting to dominate play.
His philosophy is to focus on maintaining his own approach, staying within the realm of his tactical comfort zone rather than changing his style to incorporate something he’s unfamiliar with.
Some Manchester City players, in particular, voiced concerns about Arsenal’s highly defensive approach in their match.
Yet, Postecoglou, who is known for sticking to his ultra-attacking tactics, holds no issue with the methods used by Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta.
He highlighted that football operates in cycles, where different styles of play take prominence for certain periods.
He remarked on how dominant teams tend to lean toward possession-heavy play, while others find success with less possession but highly effective defense and disruption.
Postecoglou added that over time, the tactical landscape of football shifts. What may dominate one era might soon be replaced by a new method as innovative managers introduce fresh strategies.
Football has always cycled through phases where specific tactical approaches dominate for a period, only for someone to come along and change the game with a different strategy.
In Postecoglou’s eyes, this constant evolution is natural. The key, however, is staying true to one’s own tactical beliefs. While he respects other teams’ methods, including Arsenal’s use of the so-called dark arts, he remains committed to his own attacking philosophy.
For him, adapting to the game means refining his approach without straying into unfamiliar territory. This grounded approach allows his teams to play with a clear identity, focusing on the aspects of the game that align with his vision.
Though the debate around Arsenal’s methods continues to divide opinion, Postecoglou’s stance remains clear: football tactics evolve, and while disruption may work for some teams, his focus is on maintaining discipline and ensuring his squad stays committed to their own attacking game plan.
His belief in playing the game a certain way will continue to shape Tottenham’s strategy, regardless of the trends or tactics employed by other teams.
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