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Arsenal icon Ian Wright has hit out at Unai Emery's decision to start with a diamond formation in their 3-1 loss at Liverpool over the weekend - rather than play to his strengths and opt for a three-man attack.

Emery sprung a surprise when he went for a 4-4-2 with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe, making his first start for the Gunners, deployed as the forwards.

A lack of wingers, however, gave Liverpool full-backs Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson plenty of space to run into and a first-half Joel Matip header and Mohamed Salah's second-half brace ultimately secured a win for the hosts.

Emery eventually introduced Alexandre Lacazette after falling three goals down, and Lucas Torreira's late goal gave the travelling support something to cheer about despite losing their 100 per cent start to the season.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

And Wright would have preferred to see Lacazette start alongside Aubameyang and Pepe, believing Emery missed an opportunity at Anfield.

Asked about the tactical tweak, Wright told BBC Radio 5 live’s Monday Night Club: "It was one of the things that I was baffled by.

"Before the game I was hoping to see Lacazette, Pepe and Aubameyang as I believe that Liverpool playing with a high line were there for the taking and I was really excited about that.

"And then to see the diamond or triangle given up space to Alexander-Arnold and Robertson was confusing for me.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

"I don’t know if he’s doing it because he might use that system against lesser teams and it might work as he wants to keep it narrow.

"I thought against Liverpool it was a tactic that was handing them the incentive and I thought we played a bit too deep.

"The chances we got were mistakes from Liverpool and in the main Liverpool were in control of that.

"I would rather we just go there with potency that we have and show them this is what Arsenal are about now. This is how we are moving forward but it was a confusing one for me.’