Arsenal Invincible Lauren says former manager Arsene Wenger was ahead of his time regarding fielding players in their best positions.

Lauren revealed how Wenger converted him and many of his teammates to new roles.

"Wenger modified things bit by bit," he told the Daily Mail. "He wanted offensive players in defensive positions.

"Ashley Cole was a winger, not a full back. He converted him. I was a winger, he made me a full back. Kolo Toure played in the middle of the Ivory Coast midfield and he put him at centre back.

"[Pep] Guardiola has perfected what Wenger did. That idea was there with us. But Pat Rice and Wenger knew that because we had lots of players with an attacking mentality, they had to work with us every day.

"We were good going forward but at times, especially in the first year, it was hard for us to coordinate that four-man defence. The second year was much better."