Laurent Koscielny has been spilling the beans on how he feels about Arsenal’s new formation and it turns out that he’s quite a fan.

• Arsenal have been working on 3-4-3 formation for 15 days
• Kos thinks it’s good for whole team
• Gunners won both matches they’ve used new formation

Since Arsenal’s trip to Middlesbrough, Arsene Wenger has been trialing a new formation: 3-4-3.

New for them, at least. The Frenchman has never played with just three at the back but since it resulted in a 2-1 win against Boro and then 2-1 win against Manchester City in the FA Cup, it seems the boss is going to stick with it.

This is fine by Koscielny, who insists that the formation makes the players more solid as a team.

“There was a tactical turnaround but we have been working on it for 15 days,” the centre-back said.

“The system suits certain players but it’s also good for the whole team. I think we have also found more confidence in this system with three defenders.

“We are more solid. Commitment and determination also helped us to win because over the whole game we played as a team and fought hard.”

A 3-4-3 formation only works if every player is switched on, otherwise it can leave gaps on the flanks, which pacey opposition attackers will be itching the run into.

Central midfielders have to be able to take the pressure off the defenders, who have to cover a large area than if there were four of them, and wing-backs need to be aware of any extra space they’re allowing on the flanks.

However, if carried out well, it can help the team play as a unit, attacking and defending together, and make them far more solid.