Ange Postecoglou acknowledges that, while he dislikes the ‘dark arts’ of football, he has no problem with Arsenal’s use of them.
The repercussions from Manchester City’s tight stalemate with Arsenal last Sunday continues, with the Gunners’ use of the ‘dark arts’ dividing opinion.
Their time-wasting antics and defensive strategies have been hailed and criticized equally by experts and opponents.
Tottenham manager Postecoglou saw some of this during the recent north London derby defeat and feels it is just part of the game, but vows he will not teach his players the same methods.
During a news conference before Spurs’ Europa League match against Qarabag, the manager was questioned about Arsenal’s ‘dark arts’. He said, ‘You’re making it seem like it’s good vs evil, like Batman versus…whoever, I don’t know my superheroes that well.
‘I believe that is all part of the game, and it has always existed. I’ve indicated previously that I dislike it and don’t believe in the dark arts.
‘I don’t know how to do that; it’s simply not in my skill set, but I’ve seen it be a highly powerful tool. My belief has always been that if teams are going to pursue that route, we must be much more diligent to avoid becoming distracted by them.
Ultimately, the aim of every manager and team is to try to disturb the opposition in some way, and some do so by disrupting and curtailing the opposition’s momentum.
Others desire momentum and supremacy, so it all depends on which side of the coin you’re on.
‘But you know what? I do what I do because it’s where I feel most at ease. Changing my approach would require me to venture into territory I am unfamiliar with.Several City players were particularly upset with Arsenal’s defensive approach against them, but Postecoglou, who notoriously refuses to change his ultra-attacking tactics, had no problem with Mikel Arteta’s ways.
‘I believe football is always going through cycles. He emphasized that there have always been dominating teams who are more possession heavy, as well as ones that require less of the ball.
‘You get the best teams that have a time of dominance and play a specific manner. It generally implies that others strive to emulate that strategy, and if it’s the opposite, it goes the other way.
‘There’s always been a cycle in football where a specific type of tactical play dominates for a period of time, until someone comes along and comes up with something new and alters things.’
