Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is mystified as to why Arsenal have suddenly lost form but is determined to bounce back against QPR on Saturday, and is boosted by the return of defender Bacary Sagna while Jack Wilshere could feature.

The Gunners were beaten 1-0 at Norwich last weekend and followed it up with Wednesday night’s 2-0 home defeat to Schalke in the Champions League, but the Frenchman is hopeful of an instant return to form against the Premier League’s bottom club.

“At West Ham we looked outstanding, we were dynamic. But in last two games, Norwich defended well and Schalke we couldn’t penetrate them. We just didn’t find our game.

“It was a bit flat last night, we didn’t really get going. We cannot complain about the defeat. The regret we had is that we could have got a 0-0 which would not have been a bad result for the group.”

Wenger confirmed that first-choice right-back Sagna will return to the squad, and that the French defender’s presence has been missed since he broke his leg at the end of last season.

“[Carl] Jenkinson has done very well but has had to play in every game. We are happy that we have Bac available again. His experience is important as well.

“Wilshere will be in the squad. Will he start? I haven’t decided that yet, I will decide that on Friday. Kieran Gibbs is not ready,” added Wenger who added that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has a chance of playing but that Theo Walcott will not return until Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie against Reading at the earliest.

“This team wants to do very well,” said Wenger. “We had a very promising start, but we hit the wall in the last two games. We want to focus on our quality and not consider who we play.

“QPR have good players, look at their team sheet. They have quality players so of course they can bounce back. But I don’t want to judge QPR. We do what we think is right for us. We have to bounce back.”