ARSENE WENGER won his reputation as a coach for his tactics on the pitch. At Arsenal, more than any previous club, his tactics off the pitch are about to be tested.

So far Wenger has imposed him self at Highbury with wisdom and compassion. Tactically, he has tried to incorporate his ideas without disturbing the backbone of Arsenal success the collective spirit of tight knit and established bunch of players.

He has delayed introducing his beloved 4-4-2 because he recognises the team is currently happier playing with wing backs. He has reassured the players he values their spirit and there will be no sudden replacements arriving by Eurostar.

But Wenger also faces the equally delicate task of nurturing that spirit while curbing its wilder manifestations. The side currently contains two self confessed alcoholics and a player, Ian Wright, who could also be mistaken for being under the influence, so often do his actions lack a coherent contribution from his brain.

Wenger's response to these problems has been typically astute. He has publicly praised Tony Adams for admitting his drink problem and quickly reassured Paul Merson about a new contract the player feared might be threatened by the Brookside sized problems of his private life.

On Friday, mindful that a fall out with Wright contributed to his pedecessor's demise, the new manager tried to stroke the porcupine ego of his main striker: "He should be himself," Wenger encouraged Wright. "Why should he change? You have - to respect his character - as long as he respects other people."

Presumably Wright was not listening to the last part, for on Saturday he was again looking down the wrong end of more accusing fingers. Having already been involved in a half time tunnel bust up with some Coventry players, later, on the pitch, he broke Steve Ogrizovic's nose. The veteran goalkeeper claimed it was deliberate.

And this is while the player currently stands charged with disrepute by the FA for insulting David Pleat.

The Ogrizovic incident occurred on 82 minutes of a fractious game when the pair tangled on the ground. As Wright got up, "he's kneed me", according to the big Coventry goalkeeper. "As far as I'm concerned it was intentional. He knew exactly what he was doing and it's about time somebody at the club took him to task for it, otherwise he's just going to keep on getting away with it."

Ogrizovic was stretchered off with a broken nose, but the referee took no action, and a Match of the Day replay failed conclusively to prove intent, making another disrepute charge unlikely. Neither Wenger nor the Coventry manager, Ron Atkinson, claimed to have seen the incident.

It was an ill deserved reward for Ogrizovic, whose classy saves helped his struggling side land only their second away point of the season.

But Arsenal should have done better. Though Coventry were well organised, they could have been stretched more had the home side's finishing been less wayward - especially Wright's - and their approach play less predictable, usually ending with a high ball into the area.

Wenger will demand more guile than that, and it was somewhat flattering to see Arsenal go top of the Premiership, albeit for a day, on the back of such an unconvincing performance.

For the moment, though Wenger's attention will again be drawn off the field. "I am concerned for the image of the club," he said.