Nothing seems to be going right for Arsene Wenger at the moment, but as time goes by and more points and trophies slip away, I can't help feeling that so many of his woes are becoming self-inflicted by a man whose obstinacy in the transfer market and over-reliance on youthful players who are crying out for some experienced guidance on and off the field are ensuring that his team will continue to miss out on the biggest prizes. Discussions about Wenger's annual failure to adequately replace his former experienced (and successful) players such as Seaman, Adams, Bould, Dixon, Viera et al are now so commonplace as to become tedious, but what should also be of immediate concern is his failure to stamp out the naivety and frustration in his players that gave Arsenal the unwanted record for the highest number of red cards in the Premier League last season, and has already seen them suffer two dismissals in just two matches this term. Both Gervinho and Frimpong's dismissals ranked amongst the most easily avoidable you will see at this level, and probably cost Arsenal at least three points that would have been so valuable in their quest for honours. When players who are rightly brought through the ranks to play flowing, passing football are getting so frustrated at consistently missing out on honours and losing games that they lash out so easily and suffer the consequences, the manager's attitude needs to be brought into question. This is not a recent phenomenon for Arsenal, but while it remains inadequately addressed, I fear the club's wait for a trophy will continue.

The coming weekend's fixtures start at noon on Saturday with an intriguing Midlands derby:

1) Aston Villa v Wolves: While I can only applaud Wolves for their perfect start to the season, it has to be said that the fixture list could hardly have been kinder to them so far, so this match will provide their first stern test. Since returning to the top flight in 2009, they have a proud record at Villa Park, having won there last season, and only being denied victory by a late John Carew goal the season before that. As a coincidence, Villa are also yet to be defeated, having played the same two opponents as Wolves so far, and I see no reason why either team should lose their unbeaten records in this encounter.

2) Wigan v QPR: Just as West Brom managed last season, QPR quickly wiped a heavy opening day defeat from their minds with a hard-fought 1-0 victory the next week, and the brighter atmosphere around the club since last week's takeover could well spur them on to success in their battle to stay up this season. This fixture doesn't threaten to turn into a feast of goalscoring, as only once in the six meetings between QPR and Wigan has one of the sides scored twice, and even that was courtesy of an injury time own goal. It's not often that all the relevant statistics surrounding a particular match lead you to the same conclusion, but with Wigan having drawn their opening two matches 0-0 and 1-1, and with only two goals having been scored in total in their last three encounters with QPR, and Rangers never having been defeated at the DW, I'm happy to settle for a low-scoring draw here.

3) Blackburn v Everton: I felt embarrassed for Steve Kean watching him being interviewed after his side's defeat at Villa last Saturday, as he appeared to be in denial as to how much trouble Rovers are in without significant reinforcements. Don't dwell on how good your team's performances were, Steve, or how many points you should have got. They weren't, and you didn't deserve any. Meanwhile, Everton got off to their usual flying start with a humbling home defeat to QPR, and for once David Moyes's tactics left me a bit baffled as he withdrew his lone striker in the second half to be replaced by a midfielder rather than Louis Saha. Surely, if he had thrown a bit more at Rangers in the second half, and not named Saha, Fellaini and Arteta on the bench, Everton would have at least a point to their name, but instead, they are pointless as they head off to the ground that started their previous campaign off with another 1-0 defeat. Of the two teams, I do feel that Everton have substantially better prospects to recover from their poor start, and I am happy to back them to take at least a point here.

4) Chelsea v Norwich: It's difficult to know what to make of Chelsea at this stage following two slightly unconvincing performances, so this match certainly has the potential to provide one of the big-priced shocks of the campaign. Students of form will not think so, though, as Norwich have recorded three consecutive 4-0 defeats at Stamford Bridge, and while I certainly wouldn't be taking short prices about Chelsea at the moment, they should be able to add three points here.

5) Swansea v Sunderland: As a promoted side, the longer it takes to achieve your first win, the quicker self-doubt starts to set in and confidence drains away. Swansea have been handed a presentable set of five straightforward-looking home fixtures from which to put that first victory on the board, and having spurned the opportunity of beating Wigan last week, they really need to get off the mark before the big boys arrive in town. Sunderland's host of new signings failed to capitalise on a creditable opening day draw at Anfield by losing at home to Newcastle last week, but on their first trip to Swansea in nearly 29 years, they should be able to hold on for a point to continue their hosts' frustration.

6) Liverpool v Bolton: As I mentioned earlier, I'm not so sure Liverpool would have four points on the board had Emmanuel Frimpong not been such a silly boy at the Emirates last week, but the only encouragement they need heading into this fixture is to think of past matches against Bolton, who have now lost the last nine meetings home and away, and whose last League victory at Anfield came just before Kenny Dalglish's third birthday. It may be a close battle, as it was last season when the Reds needed a last minute goal to win 2-1, but I still think Liverpool will come out on top.

7) Newcastle v Fulham: A home side who haven't conceded a goal host an away side who have yet to score a goal in a match that last season finished 0-0. Queue here for your tickets, folks.

8) Spurs v Man.City: You would have thought that a fixture that City have not won in the League for eight years would provide a real test of their title ambitions, but judging by Tottenham's limited performance at Old Trafford on Monday, this may not be such a stern examination after all. At the time of writing, Spurs are still struggling to add any exceptional quality to their squad, and in my opinion, they could be heading for another defensive calamity on Sunday.

9) West Brom v Stoke: West Brom could not have expected a harder duo of opening fixtures, but they still acquitted themselves well, only succumbing to late goals from Man.U. and Chelsea. There has also been a very bright start for their expensive acquisition, Shane Long, and that should stand them in good stead as they prepare to face an erratic Stoke side with two draws to their name so far. The Baggies have recorded just one victory in Stoke's last twelve League visits to the Hawthorns, but they have shown enough in their admittedly fruitless start to the season to lead me towards backing them to get off the mark in style here.

10) Man.U. v Arsenal: Home win.

Just three selections this week, but there is still the possibility of a welcome £60.58 payout to a £10 stake with Coral if Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers all win their matches.

Good Luck!