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On this day 05 October
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The WM system is used for the first time
1925
After a good initial run in the league, Arsenal succumbs to a 7-0 thrashing by Newcastle in October, prompting Herbert Chapman to start shaping a new tactic. Together with unsettled star player Charlie Buchan, Chapman creates the so-called "WM" tactic - named after the 3-2-2-3 shape of the formation. At this stage, Buchan is unhappy about Arsenal's inconsistent performances and suggests to Chapman that the recently changed offside rule can be exploited by changing the shape of the team. His first suggestion is to have a sweeping defensive midfielder mark the area in front of the box instead of the opposition's #9, and that this player doesn't just hoof the ball away, but seeks the central inside-forwards after winning the ball, creating a counter - essentially inventing both zonal marking and the deep-lying playmaker in one go. His other suggestion is for himself to drop back from his inside-right position to create a 3-3-4 shape, but Chapman suggests keeping Buchan where he is and instead use Andy Neil as the withdrawn position. The WM is born. The new tactic is immediately used against West Ham, who is soundly beaten 4-0. This system becomes the definition of Herbert Chapman's short reign, and Arsenal go on to win virtually everything using this new strategy. Evidence suggests that other teams had already started experimenting with early crude variations of the WM system, but it is Arsenal and Herbert Chapman who ends up perfecting it and using it to great effect.
- Chiori Johnson is born 1997
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...since Tottenham won the league