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Wenger opts for back-3 versus Manchester City

Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may have said that playing three centre-backs is "not a long-term plan," though it certainly appears to be one that's working for the time being.

For the second successive match, the Frenchman has opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation for Sunday's FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

Arsenal is looking to make its third final in four tries, and it appears that Wenger is sticking to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" principle, naming an unchanged side from the club's last fixture.

It will again be Laurent Koscielny in the middle, flanked by Gabriel and summer signing Rob Holding, the same trio that played together during the north London side's 2-1 win at Middlesbrough on Monday. And like the victory at the Riverside, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Monreal will again play wing-back, with Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka in the middle.

Koscielny's usual centre-back mate, Shkodran Mustafi, misses out again with a thigh concern.

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