Arsenal defender Rob Holding has revealed he was given a crash course in Arsene Wenger's experimental formation which yielded a much-needed win at Middlesbrough on Monday.
The Frenchman went with a three-man defence for the first time since 1997 as the Gunners fought hard to beat Boro 2-1 at the Riverside Stadium.
Wenger said: "It's quieter than it used to be in England 20 years ago and they (current squad) are younger as well".
"The fact we conceded three at West Brom and three at Palace, I feel it was needed".
" "Sometimes we want to have the ball but when a team lacks confidence just to change the system can help believe something different."
Arsenal ended a run of four straight away defeats in the Premier League by winning 2-1 at Middlesbrough on Monday night. "You could see we did not play with full confidence, but overall we really wanted to win", the Arsenal manager told Sky Sports.
"I think we were focussed and committed and you could see that we did not play with full confidence during some moments in the game", Wenger said.
Alexis Sanchez curled in a flawless free kick to give the Gunners the lead in the first half, then helped set up Ozil for the victor.
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"Bournemouth will be a bit twitchy on Saturday because they haven't won that many so we need to put the pressure on them".
"There are more points to play for and nobody in the bottom three is pulling up trees and running clear". We were a bit over cautious in situations.
Alexis Sanchez's superb free-kick gave Arsenal the lead just before the break, before Middlesbrough responded soon after the restart when Alvaro Negredo volleyed in Stewart Downing's cross.
Wenger added: "They still have a one-year contract".
Middlesbrough remain deep in relegation trouble, six points from safety.
But Arsenal secured their first away win in five Premier League matches when Sanchez floated a ball into the box which Aaron Ramsey cleverly chested down to Ozil who made no mistake from close range.
"We've lost a lot of direct fights centrally so it gets us a bit stronger in the air".
"I thought the players were wonderful in terms of their effort, attitude and commitment".
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