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Arsene Wenger believes that top clubs have to make compromises to ensure they play in their own recognisable style - he believes clubs have no hope of making their mark on history without implementing a clear philosophy on the field. For Wenger, the biggest and best sides have a responsibility to the game and must show others what can be achieved.




Everybody has now seen the success of such a model in place at Barcelona. Bringing together an unlikely mixture of art and efficiency, Barca have shown that it is possible to break away from the cautious tactics that have characterised the modern game to win every trophy available to them in 2009.

That success is the result of a philosophy first implemented by Johan Cruyff that has been revived through Pep Guardiola. Cruyff, who played at Camp Nou from 1973 to 1978 and managed the side from 1988 to 1996, transformed Barcelona's mentality. He gave the fans confidence and brought with him the most attacking approach in the club's history.

"My team always play in the same way," he said in the early 90s. "They must go on the attack, dominate the game and avoid the counter-attack. I always say, 'How many forwards do our rivals have? Two? OK - we can play with three defenders'. I see it as almost impossible that we would play four defenders in that situation." The 3-4-3 formation that brought the 1992 European Cup may have become a slightly more conservative 4-3-3 in the current team, but the genesis of the Barca model is clear.

At the heart of it is a certain type of player that has helped define their identity. The game's legendary clubs have held an established identity for decades. Take a look at a club's most famous players and their position, and you'll get an idea of how the team operates on the pitch. In Barcelona's case, they like to keep the ball, so it's no surprise that many of their most symbolic players are midfielders. In fact, Barcelona have created a particular type of midfielder - the No. 4. Luis Milla was to prove the archetype for Cruyff as a footballer with just one objective: retaining the ball and playing an elaborate and expansive game.

Many Barca midfielders since have also embodied these traits - smart, clever in possession, allowing triangular passes and positive combinations. Guardiola was one such player and, in an interview with El Pais some years ago, he said: "The No. 4 has to supply the team in the best way possible up to the halfway line but also to mark the attacking midfielder. It is necessary to find the player who is best equipped to carry out these tasks. Some players are better at defending than attacking and vice versa, but it is necessary to select just one. What cannot happen is to select two players for this job. Doubling up is not worthwhile because, if there are two players in that position, it does not make proper use of the number four."

Guardiola was perhaps the definitive No. 4 at Camp Nou - his successes as a player included six La Liga titles, the European Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup - but the position has evolved in recent times. The No. 4 is now more of a No. 6, with modern players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets adding more creative passes, more skill and more of a physical presence. Youth prospects like Thiago Alcantara, Jonathan Dos Santos and Sergio Roberto show the trend is continuing at Camp Nou.





The impact of this school of thought goes beyond Barcelona, however. Arsenal, for example, have looked to import part of this philosophy by bringing the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida to England from the Catalans' academy, while Real Madrid paid a substantial amount of money for the services of Xabi Alonso - a player of La Masia mould even if he did not emerge from it himself. Current European champions Spain are also reaping the rewards.

As for why this type of midfielder is so successful, Guardiola explains: "We are not a team who play on the counter-attack. Our football is one touch, two touches. Fifteen good touches mean one chance of goal. If we want to create an attacking opportunity too quickly, we lose the ball. Without the ball, there is no control. Without control, there are no chances and, without chances, it is not Barcelona."

The success of Barca's academy has not gone unnoticed in England and, according to Diario Sport, a number of top Premier League sides are now looking to secure deals for an array of recent Masia graduates who are out of contract in the summer.

Thiago Alcantara (11/04/1991): Chelsea are said to be looking to sign Alcantara, who is regarded to be one of the best prospects in Barcelona's academy. He's currently training with the first-team and has played for the senior side during Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita's absence at the African Nations Cup. The son of former Brazil international Mazinho, Alcantara has been dubbed the new Deco.

Gai Assulin (09/04/1991): Arsenal are apparently monitoring this Israel international. He is a creative winger who has drawn early comparisons to Lionel Messi, but he is still to find some consistency.

Jonathan Dos Santos (26/04/1990): Tottenham have already signed up this Mexican midfielder's brother, Giovani. While that move has not worked out as hoped, Spurs are apparently still eager to snap up his young brother, who is in an altogether different mould. He is a consistent central midfielder and has already won Guardiola's confidence.

Jeffren Suarez (20/01/1988): A host of clubs - including Sevilla, Everton, Celtic and Blackburn Rovers - are said to want this Venezuela-born Spain Under-21 international. Now 22, he is not as highly regarded as Assulin, but he showed his capabilities in the World Club Cup final against Estudiantes.