As Arsenal sank to another abject defeat at the San Siro yesterday, the usual complaints came out; Wenger isn’t willing to spend, the players aren’t good enough, they don’t care about winning.

All of these issues are issues that can only be dealt with in the summer, whether it be through big-money purchases in the transfer market or at the training ground. But it may be that Arsenal’s problems can be solved by simple tactical alterations.

AC Milan

During the last-16 defeat Arsenal played a 4-5-1 formation with Robin Van Persie as the sole target man. This isn’t really a job he’s suited for, because of his tendency to go out wide and stated preference for playing a supporting role. He can play as an out-and-out striker, but he’s best when supported by winger or another striker. 4 of the 5 men in midfield were attempting to attack, leaving Alex Song alone to deal with Milan’s numerous attacks.

It didn’t help that the defence were affected by the heavily worn San Siro playing surface. If Arsenal had left Arteta or Ramsey behind to help out the anchorman then there would have been less chance for them to catch the defence with their trousers down with the likes of Robinho and Ibrahimovic.

The Premier League

Wenger has favoured a 4-3-3 formation in the Premier league, relying on Theo Walcott to feed the ball across to Van Persie inside the box. This has worked fairly well on days Walcott is in form, but when he isn’t Arsenal struggle again.

The issue here is that only one of the central midfielders attempts to attack, and too much reliance is placed on giving the ball to Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain or Arshavin. I’ll come back to Arshavin later, because he might actually be the key to Arsenal’s success.

Rather than the defence being unsupported, the forwards are unsupported, and the opposition midfield can easily stifle our three man attacks. It doesn’t help that Arsenal are more content to make short passes looking for an opening than to play the kind of vibrant attacking football that wins titles.

The defence have looked fairly solid, as long as it isn’t blighted by injury, and with the return of Gibbs and the hopeful prognosis for Koscielny, it seems that Arsenal will have no defensive issues with their league formation.

Arshavin: Lost his touch or hero in waiting?

The fuss made about Andrey Arshavin when he was signed was incredible, as were his early performances. You only have to look at the four-goal masterclass at Anfield to see what the diminutive Russian captain can do.

His poor form in the last couple of seasons has less to do with his ability or will; indeed he himself has confessed he is disappointed with his own performances and knows he can do better.

The real problem is that he is being played in the wrong position every week. On the left wing he is limited in options; he can pass or try and make a cross. His true position is just behind the striker(s), acting in a free role where he can drift wide or try and create something (or take a shot, looking at his goal against United a couple of years ago) through the centre.

If he were played there, behind Van Persie, with Walcott and Oxlade Chamberlain carrying on their good work on the wings, possibly with Gervinho taking Chamberlain’s place; Arsenal would have infinitely more attacking verve and power.

Is Wenger still the right man?

Absolutely. He’s played different formations in the past and can do it again. While his inactivity in the transfer market is worrying, he has proved that this current team can do great things while in form.

Going to Stamford Bridge and coming away with anything, let alone a 5-3 victory is superb, and the dismantling of Blackburn showed that sometimes wing power is all Arsenal need with Van Persie in form.

Obviously Blackburn are not Milan and Arsenal need to pick themselves up, but I’m confident that with the team we have we could challenge for the F.A Cup and even third place this year. With a couple of rumoured additions allegedly on the way this summer in Matias Suarez and Lewis Holtby, Arsenal might just be about to prove the critics wrong.

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