Wenger won’t commit to Arsenal’s new 3-4-2-1 after Leicester win

Arsene Wenger has said he will use whichever formation he needs to in order to win after changing Arsenal‘s shape in their 1-0 win over Leicester City.

The Frenchman took off left wing-back Kieran Gibbs after 68 minutes to send on Danny Welbeck to switch from playing the 3-4-2-1 system, used by Tottenham and Spurs this season, that the Gunners lined up in to start the game to a 4-2-3-1 in the second-half.

He later made a double substitution in the 75th minute to replace Theo Walcott with Olivier Giroud up front with Aaron Ramsey coming on for the more defensively minded Francis Coquelin.

Wenger became the last manager in the top six to try out a back three this season when Arsenal opted to set themselves out in a 3-4-2-1 configuration away against Middlesbrough in their previous match in the Premier League.

They continued with that shape at Wembley in their FA Cup semi-final showdown with Manchester City and won both matches 2-1, although they needed extra-time against Pep Guardiola’s team.

Alexis Sanchez (L) scores the second goal during the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley stadium in London on April 23, 2017.

However, despite Arsenal beginning their 1-0 win over Leicester in the same shape, Wenger rejected the idea that the 3-4-2-1 formation was now his team’s default in his post-match press conference.

“I finished with four at the back,” he said. “When I took Gibbs off I moved to a four and we finished with four strikers – Welbeck, Giroud, Sanchez, Ozil – plus Ramsey, who is quite offensive. We finished in a four because we had to win the game.”

Arsenal are still sixth in the Premier League table after their win over Leicester and are the outsiders to win one of the last remaining Champions League qualification spots in the top four, but Wenger says that his side can benefit from their situation.

“We have one advantage,” he said. “The advantage of clarity. We have to win our games. That’s why we cannot be happy with a 0-0. We absolutely have to take a gamble to try to win the game at any cost.”