Arsene Wenger’s technical study group finds goalkeepers are more involved than ever at the World Cup

Arsene Wenger’s technical study group has drawn trends from the first stage of the World Cup to show that most attacks in open play are made from wide areas and that the role of the goalkeeper has radically changed.

Goalkeepers offered to receive a pass 726 times in group games here, compared to 443 times at the same stage in Russia four years ago, and received the ball 356 times, compared to 177.

Wenger concludes that it is a response to forwards pressing too much and forcing defenders back, and subsequently coaches have gone for goalkeepers who can handle the ball.

Arsene Wenger’s technical study group has revealed analysis of its findings from the World Cup group stage.

“The biggest change in football is the goalkeeper,” Wenger said. ‘Within the game the goalkeeper has always been considered a separate guild, now they are part of the team. That is the modern evolution. It is a major change.

The revived importance of wing players, he believes, is a reaction to defenses protecting the midfield.

“There is a big difference with 2018,” said the 73-year-old Frenchman. ‘Open play goals from crosses are up 83 per cent. The teams block the center and open the flanks more. In the Netherlands-USA, all the goals came from the center, which confirmed the trend.

The analysis highlighted the growing importance of goalkeepers being comfortable with the ball at their feet.

‘Does that mean that the teams with the best wing players are the teams with the most chances? I think there is something there. When I talk about the best wing players, not only the attacking players, but also the full-backs.’

Wenger is also expecting the strength off the bench to be a vital asset in the first World Cup with five substitutes, which could be the reason for fewer late goals.

Despite referees adding more time this year in Qatar, there have only been 12 goals after the 90th minute in group games compared to 21 at the same stage in Russia four years ago.

The findings also revealed a renewed importance of wing players in combating teams’ defensive strengths centrally.

“It could be that the five changes add the chance to defend better in the final minutes of the game,” Wenger said. It may be that the games have already been decided, but the more added time there should be more goals scored.

He added: ‘Nobody wants to go back to three subs. There were requests for more changes, but sometimes changing destroys the structure of the team.’