Southampton ace reveals change of tactics ahead of Arsenal clash

PLAYING three at the back could be the solution for Southampton against Arsenal tonight, claims Saints defender Ryan Bertrand.

 

Ryan Bertrand's (right) Southampton beat Arsenal 4-0 on Boxing Day

 

Southampton beat Arsenal 4-0 at St Mary's back on Boxing Day when playing a 4-5-1 formation.

It was their only win during a 10-game run at the back end of 2015 and into the New Year and they have only just reversed their fortunes, winning three on the bounce.

 

Bertrand has played as part of a back three in those victories against Watford, West Brom and Manchester United after Ronald Koeman switched around his formation.

And the left-back, who is expected to play on the left side of Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte at the Emirates tonight, explained why the system is working.

 

“We've got a brilliant cohesiveness between the three of us, and even with the two wing-backs, the midfield and the front – we have great communication, and it means we can really go and get on top of the opposition and really get aggressive with them.”

Goals from Cuco Martina, Fonte and a double from Shane Long earned Saints victory over Arsenal during the festive period.

And Bertrand is keen to extent the side's three-match winning run.

"We managed to eradicate those mistakes and come together as a team and finally get some sort of consistency together,” he said.

“That's what we were looking for, just a touch of stability within the team, and it's nice to know we've finally kind of found that and in the back three to five we can install that stability for us to then progress forward.”