Arsene Wenger backs FA's DNA programme which encourages youngsters and coaches to buy into 'the England way'

  • Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is seen as a key figure in English football for the revolutions in diet and sports science
  • Wenger supports the Football Association's England DNA programme
  • The FA blueprint was launched on Thursday and promotes developing players from under-15 level through to the senior squad

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given his seal of approval to the Football Association's new England DNA programme, insisting a clearly defined style of play will benefit the national team's chances of success.

The FA blueprint, which was launched on Thursday, promotes joined-up thinking in international player development from under-15 level through to the senior team.

Youngsters and coaches will be encouraged to buy into 'the England way' and will be able to refer to a wristband containing 'England DNA values'.


VIDEO Scroll down to watch Gareth Southgate & Dan Ashworth talk about the England DNA 

Arsene Wenger has given his seal of approval to the Football Association's new England DNA programme

Arsene Wenger has given his seal of approval to the Football Association's new England DNA programme

The Arsenal boss insists a clearly defined style of play will benefit the national team's chances of success

The Arsenal boss insists a clearly defined style of play will benefit the national team's chances of success

Wenger, who is viewed as a pioneering figure in English football for the revolutions in diet and sports science he brought to the Gunners in 1996, welcomed the FA's attempts to improve the system from the bottom up.

'I think the federation has responded well, by restructuring the academies and by developing grass-roots football,' Wenger said.

'I think good technique is the most important. The most important is to get good education to people who start to play at the age of seven years old.

'What is very important for English football is to target exactly what kind of qualities we want to develop and at what age, that is the most important.'

Wenger does not see an inherent problem in the mentality of domestic players but does believe the senior national side presents a highly-pressured environment.

'I think the attitude of the players in England is good - they love their country, they want to do well for their country,' he said.

'They are under a lot of pressure when they play for the national team, but they all want to do well.'

The new programme includes five core elements - 'who we are', 'how we play', 'the future England player', 'how we coach' and 'how we support' - and is inspired by similar models from Germany and Belgium.

Wenger has welcomed the FA's attempts to improve the system from the bottom up with this blueprint

Wenger has welcomed the FA's attempts to improve the system from the bottom up with this blueprint

Wenger is viewed as a pioneering figure in English football for the revolutions in diet and sports science

Wenger is viewed as a pioneering figure in English football for the revolutions in diet and sports science

Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes the FA's philosophy is a good one and that England should not be afraid of mirroring other countries' success.

'I don't think there's anything wrong with looking elsewhere and how people use their tactical awareness and technical aspects of the game,' Martinez said.

'The best teacher of the game is the game itself. You need to allow a young player to have many touches on the ball in small-sided games, where they can find a way to score goals, which is the biggest tool.

'That will help a player become instinctive and a thinker. But it is important as well to have a bit of a path, because football is a team sport and you need to suit your quality as an individual into the team. So clearly, all this work will benefit.'

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino brought the best out of a number of young English players at former club Southampton and has shown faith in the likes of Harry Kane and Ryan Mason at White Hart Lane.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes the FA's philosophy is a good one and that it can only get better

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes the FA's philosophy is a good one and that it can only get better

The Argentine believes England's youngsters must combine their natural courage and aggression with technical skill.

'After two years in England, I have realised the players have a lot of quality - they just need the chance to show it and we need to help them improve,' Pochettino said.

'There is one quality the younger English players have - they are brave and very aggressive.

'This is the principal quality we need to keep and then add the qualities of playing from the back and on the grass. I think this is the way we need to go.'

He added: 'If we can mix both qualities we can build in the future a very strong squad and maybe in the next few World Cups a national team that can try to win the World Cup.'

Swansea boss Garry Monk has been able to continue the club's traditions of playing attacking and attractive football this season.

Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino (left) got the best out of a number of young English players at  Southampton

Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino (left) got the best out of a number of young English players at Southampton

Swansea boss Garry Monk sees the blueprint as a good idea but that it will depend on certain circumstances

Swansea boss Garry Monk sees the blueprint as a good idea but that it will depend on certain circumstances

Monk believes the programme is a good idea in principle but insists its success will depend on the clarity of the vision.

'They're obviously trying to put something in place where you can create a philosophy as a nation and other nations have done it,' Monk said.

'We're a bit behind them but it's important that it's a philosophy everyone understands and it's a clear vision and message to the players that they're trying to develop.'

Burnley manager Sean Dyche was more sceptical, adding that it is important young players are not 'wrapped up in cotton wool' too early.

'We know they're going to get enhanced coaching and better facilities at almost every level but you can't get so drunk on that that you forget about the passion, pride, belief, desire and will,' Dyche said.

'People might say it's an archaic view but I think the moral fibre of footballers is as relevant now as its ever been.'