Arsene Wenger to stick with Arsenal’s three-man defence, even though he prefers a back-four

Talking tactics | Arsene Wenger
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James Olley8 December 2017

Arsene Wenger says he still prefers Arsenal to play with a back four but insists he will not abandon the three-man defence that revived their fortunes.

The Gunners suffered seven defeats in 12 matches between January 31 and April 10 before Wenger deployed three centre-backs for the first time in 20 years, triggering a strong end to last season which climaxed with May’s FA Cup Final victory over Chelsea.

Arsenal have continued to use a 3-4-2-1 formation this term, until concerns over Skhodran Mustafi’s thigh injury ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Southampton made Wenger opt for 4-2-3-1 in Wednesday’s Europa League romp against BATE Borisov.

However, the Gunners boss insisted it was only a temporary measure - despite also adopting the same shape against Manchester United after Mustafi had to be substituted.

“I decided to play with a back four [against BATE],” he said. “It is my preferred system. But I adjust always what suits the players, the quality of the players, the balance of the team. I went to a back four as well against United as we were 2-0 down. I put on an offensive player as we had to come back. But it can change.”

Wenger also discussed the introspection which occurred in processing last weekend’s defeat to United.

“You know you have a very clear view straight away when you have a defeat like that, a disappointment like that,” he said. “You try to analyse it straight away with the players to get it out of the system and focus on what is in front of you.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs BATE Borisov | 07/12/2017

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“I feel in our job there is always in the next game you can show that you have digested and focused on what is in front of you.”

Asked whether the players had different thoughts to his own in assessing the game, Wenger replied: “Well the players have always….everybody has a little bit his own analysis. But mine counts!”

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