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Wenger - How I decide my penalty takers

Arsรจne Wenger
Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger thinks the "calmness" of a player is the most important factor when he decides his order for a penalty shoot-out.

Arsenal's last two Capital One Cup ties have been decided by spot-kicks. They went out to Bradford City in the quarter-finals last season but beat West Bromwich Albion 4-3 last month.

Wenger revealed he makes the final decision on the identity of the penalty takers, but he does take note of how each player is feeling.

"You try to secure [a lead] as early as possible and think after, if you are on a positive vibe the rest will come easier"

Arsene Wenger

"I decide who takes the penalties but I want the agreement of the players I choose," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"I say 'I want you to take a penalty, are you OK? If a player says no you cannot put a gun on him and say he will take it. Then after that what do I consider? The calmness of the player, the fact they have played a long time or not in the game, the fact they have had a positive experience or not in the game.

"You consider you're gut feeling as well, it is a bit intuitive. Then you have to decide the order as well because players do not always agree with your order.

"But on that I am a bit less flexible because I have a clear idea many times of where the succession has to be."

The Arsenal manager has overseen 13 shoot-outs during his 17-year reign in north London but he admits he still finds it difficult to decide his best order.

"The best you do not always know but I believe that you always start as strong as possible because if you choose the best one, as some like to do, to be No 5, you're not even sure you will get there," said Wenger.

"You try to secure [a lead] as early as possible and think after, if you are on a positive vibe the rest will come easier."

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