Laurent Koscielny believes Arsenal’s switch to a back three can provide them with a “tactical turnaround” ahead of their decisive Premier League run-in.
After returning to the formation for the first time in nearly 20 years in Monday’s 2-1 win at Middlesbrough Arsene Wenger once more deployed a 3-4-3 in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City, a result that will go some way to easing the pressure on the Arsenal manager.
That burden had grown on account of Arsenal’s shambolic defending over recent weeks in which they shipped three at Liverpool, West Brom and Crystal Palace in a damaging run of defeats.
Though there remain some teething problems in Wenger’s rejigged backline there were also numerous promising performances, most notably from the much-maligned centre-back Gabriel and auxiliary right wing-back Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Koscielny believes Arsenal have stumbled upon the right system for them.
“There was a tactical turnaround, but we’ve been working on it for 15 days,” the vice-captain said. “In that system, there are players who are good. It’s good for the collective.
Koscielny added: “I think we also found confidence in this system with three defenders. We are more solid behind.
“Commitment and motivation also allowed us to win. Over the whole game, we were supportive and combative.”
Few had predicted such an impressive victory from an Arsenal side who, despite returning to winning ways at the Riverside on Monday, had appeared utterly bereft of belief during the worst run of form of Wenger’s reign.
The tension surrounding the Frenchman had appeared intolerable to some and a complicated situation had only been exacerbated by Wenger’s prevarication over his future as his contract enters its final months.
However Wenger’s players have remained steadfast in their support and speaking after the game made clear their desire to win the FA Cup – defeating capital rivals Chelsea in the process – to give their manager a record seventh triumph in the world’s oldest cup competition.
And Koscielny hopes that the impressive nature of their win over a top six rival will lift some of the gloom as they prepare for a crucial Premier League run-in during which they must erase a seven point gap to fourth as they bid to qualify for the Champions League.
“Before this game, we were in a fairly dark period,” the French defender added. “We have lost confidence. This victory allows us to regain confidence, and serenity, even if everything has not been perfect.
“The future of Wenger, I don’t know if it weighs [on recent results]. We’ll never know. But, we are professionals. Each week we go to the pitch to give the best of yourself and win the most matches.
“The bad results are also due to us [and not just Wenger].”
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