Having switched a back three for the first time in twenty years this week, Arsene Wenger says that sticking with the same formation is an option for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Man City.

The Arsenal manager was understandably enough not being completely forthcoming about his plans, leaving opposite number Pep Guardiola in some doubt as to his intentions, but says he’ll consider using it again after it helped the team to a 2-1 win over Boro on Monday.

Speaking at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s Wembley showdown, Wenger said, “It is an option, yes. But what will I do? You will understand that I won’t tell you now.

“You know, it was more destined to give us a bit more defensive solidity because recently away from home we conceded too many goals.”

Given that both sides are away from home on Sunday, we’ll have to see what happens – but it will certainly have put a small spoke in Guardiola’s wheel.

Famed for his meticulous preparation of the opposition, he will hardly have considered the possibility of Arsenal playing with anything other than a back four until this week.

Whether it proves to be an advantage for us remains to be seen.

Earlier, Wenger provided the latest team news update, ruling Shkodran Mustafi out of the game, and admitting Danny Welbeck is a doubt, while Lucas Perez and David Ospina remain sidelined for the next little while.