The reason why Arsenal lost?

While the accusing finger is being pointed at David Ospina for inexplicably dropping the ball over the goal-line for one of Olympiakos's goal, I'm squaring the blame at Wenger.

After 2 defeats, Wenger is right to say: 'we are not out of it'. In typical Arsenal style, the Gunners have made it tough for themselves. Now in-form Bayern Munich have to be put to the sword and there is no room for error against Zagreb at home and Olympiakos away.

So why am I saying Wenger is to blame? Well, in the post-match interviews after the Zagreb defeat, the Arsenal boss was making it sound like beating the Croatian champions would be easy at The Emirates. I'm guessing that he thought the Greeks would be equally easy.

I just think Wenger has underestimated the 'minnows', and now Arsenal face an uphill struggle to qualify for the knock-out stages.

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Arsenal's Flames and firepower

The Gunners supposed need for more firepower was pooh-poohed by Walcott and Giroud, who both scored without playing a full 90 minutes against Leicester.

Let's make no mistake: Leicester are, or were, an in-form team. I was particularly impressed with the way Arsenal snuffed out Mahrez; every time the Algerian got the ball, there were four Arsenal shirts around him.

Additionally, I was impressed with Walcott's one-on-one goal with his left foot: it was a well-placed finish.

Obviously, the plaudits will notice Alexis Sanchez's hat-trick. It looks like the Chilean is hitting top form again.

The only fly in the ointment is Mathieu 'Flames' Flamini's injury. What bad luck for the Frenchman after a scintillating display at Spurs.

With Man City losing at White Hart Lane, Man Utd are table toppers and they're up next. That game will tell us a lot about Arsenal's real title credentials.

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Flames deserves to keep his place

Who needs a fox-in-the-box when you've got Flames on fire? Two brilliantly taken goals against Spurs warned the critics not to write off an almost forgotten man.

One thing that Mathieu Flamini oozes is determination and you can't keep a good man down. That's why I'm recommending that he keep his place in the team.

Alongside him, club captain Mikel Arteta was almost unnoticeable. I'm sure he does a lot of talking, as he's a great communicator, but I don't think he's doing enough in other ways.

Nevertheless, no matter what people say about the Art-Flames axis in midfield, the Spurs game was proof it can work. If Arteta wasn't playing, would Flamini have been able to get forward as much as he did? I think not.

So I'd stick with these two in central midfield in Coquelin's absence, although I'm a bit concerned about Arteta's form and not sure how long Flamini can keep up his purple patch.

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Indiscipline and dead balls cost Arsenal

Let me start by saying that Arsenal have been more than a tad unlucky in the last two games. Back-to-back defeats are the result of three red cards in two games with Gabriel and Cazorla joining Giroud in referees' bad books. They say fortune evens itself out over the season and, of course, let's not forget that Coquelin should have been sent off against Palace. Now it's a case of Arsenal rueing their luck.

Fortune favours the brave though, and it would have been braver for Gabriel to ignore Diego Costa. Gabriel's petulant kick was slightly reminiscent of David Beckham's in a World Cup quarter-final against Diego Simeone of Argentina. And guess what: both offences were just as ill-judged.

However, I would like to add that I do like Gabriel's attitude; he's clearly not fazed or intimidated by the likes of Costa. That's a good sign, especially if he can learn from this experience.

Cazorla's red was just an accumulation of two silly yellow cards: the first was cheap but deserved, whereas the second was dangerous. Personally, I think the ref, Mike Dean, had no option but to send both off.

Nevertheless, how Costa remained on the field after striking Koscielny in the face twice is beyond me. And had Costa been sent off for that, then the Gabriel incident would never have occurred; Arsenal have paid the price for a lack of protection from the referee. When players don't feel protected, they often take matters into their own hands. I'm not saying it's right, but that's simply what happens.

Meanwhile, had Arsenal's deadball deliveries been better than Chelsea's then maybe the Gunners could have taken an early lead. I distinctly remember one free kick in a dangerous area which was more or less wasted: it resulted in a corner. Without Giroud or Mertesacker to aim at, there seems little danger when Arsenal have a set play. At least the big German is back in training so should be back to add an aerial threat upfront and more security at the back when it comes to dead balls.

Lots more work is required on the training ground, it seems, if Arsenal are to make the most of their opportunities and to stop giving away sloppy goals at the other end.

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Is Wenger right to treat Champs League like League Cup?

There is no answer to that question, as Arsenal are not out of the Champions League yet, despite an awful defeat in Zagreb.

To make matters worse, Giroud got himself sent off for a clumsy challenge after seeing yellow for dissent. Well, at least the game mattered to him.

As for Wenger, I felt he underestimated the opposition: he fielded a side that shows he had one eye on the Chelsea. Now that's not necessary a bad thing: he's only prioritising the league.

As Wenger said afterwards, he's confident of beating Zagreb at the Emirates. However, he'll have to field a stronger side if he aims to do that, as Arteta seems a pale shadow of his former self. Without Coquelin, in fact, the whole team seems to suffer.

At least, Walcott proved how good he is in one-on-one situations. Now he needs to start scoring some tap-ins to make sure he gets a healthy goal return. And as Wrighty said on TV, he should get the run of games that he needs upfront after Giroud's indiscipline.

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Arsenal's chance conversion rate

I did have to laugh on Saturday when the two most maligned Gunners on the pitch (Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud) both scored!

Like I've said before, Theo needs at least 5 consecutive starts as a striker before we can say for sure how good he is in that position. I maintain that he'll cut it there. He's got pace and is an excellent finisher in the ground. He can make intelligent runs, but he's not always getting the ball. Additionally, Theo is still learning his trade as a centre forward.

As much as I agree with the legendary Ian Wright's analysis of what Walcott is doing right and wrong, I expect Theo will be making more and more of the 'right' runs and making more 'right/Wright' decisions once he's had an extended run playing up front. If Wrighty had had to play on the wing as long as Theo has had to, he'd take time to adjust too. Yes, even Wrighty (one of my favourite Arsenal players of all time).

Meanwhile, it is true that Arsenal are creating loads of chances but not converting. Arguably, the worst miss was Giroud's, after he came on as a sub for Theo.

Incidentally, if Wenger keeps subbing the lone frontman, it will look statistically worse for those two players who have to share a striker appearance: one gets 70 minutes and the other 20 to score.

However, I understand why Wenger is doing that. A lone frontman has to press four defenders and the goalkeeper. It's a lot of work, so it makes sense to share the burden.

So my message is: never mind the chance/conversion rate as long as Arsenal are still racking up the points.

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Theo & Giroud could be Arsenal's Toshack & Keegan

It's been called 'the transfer window of discontent' with good reason, as Arsenal fans wondered why manager Arsene Wenger decided not to buy a single outfield player. Given that Arsenal have won the FA Cup two years running, it reminds me of the phrase: 'If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it'.

Although the title campaign has got off to a stuttering start, there is no need to push the panic button. I think there are enough goals in this Arsenal team without the addition of a Radamel Falcao type of signing.

If Olivier Giroud is not scoring, there is always the option of using Theo Walcott as a centre forward. However, he must have an extended run in the team playing in that position, or we'll never know if he will cut it there. When I say a run, I mean at least 5 starts: back to back. The mystery is why didn't that happen during the pre-season friendlies.

Another option is a 'little and large' attack with Giroud playing alongside Theo, reminiscent of Toshack and Keegan at Liverpool. I can't see Wenger opting for that, but it's food for thought and worth a gamble.
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