Champions League: Arsenal great tips Arsene Wenger’s side to fall at the first hurdle

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Former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas has tipped the London giants to fall at the first hurdle in the Champions League.

The Gunners have opened their European campaign in miserable fashion.

Their opening 2-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb was bad, but worse still was their 3-2 home loss at the hands of Olympiacos on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners twice equalised on the night, but were found wanting late on as Alfred Finnbogason converted past David Ospina following excellent work from Felipe Pardo. Ospina had earlier been at the centre of a horrendous blunder as he fumbled the ball and carried it over the goal line to put the Greek giants 2-1 up.

Speaking on Soccer Special after the match, Nicholas insisted that Arsenal would struggle to escape from the group, and blamed Arsene Wenger for ruining his side’s chances.

“The manager has to carry the can. He made five changes from the Leicester game and we always talk about momentum,” the Scot began, as per Sky Sports.

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“They had some momentum after the weekend but the way that they lost was criminal. Wenger has to take full responsibility for playing Ospina ahead of Cech.

“The first goal is a deflection but the second one is a basic corner. He’s not under any pressure and all he’s got to do is catch and hold it.

“Even though Sanchez gets them back into it, the third goal is shambolic. Gabriel is slack and slow and Mertesacker is not quick enough to cover.”

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