ARSENAL CAN WIN

Arsenal go into the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan after having considered 12 goals in the last four matches. It has prompted manager Arsene Wenger to say that the team has to go back to basics in order to start defending better.

At one stage in the season, Arsenal had the best defensive record in the division. It has now been blown away after conceding the likes of six and three against Chelsea and Everton respectively. Against Everton last weekend, they were especially poor. Not only did Arsenal create a lot of opportunities, but they were also very mediocre defence.

This has opened up with the top four race with five matches remaining. Finishing in the top four is of a major concern for Arsenal given the huge revenues from the Champions League, but it is also important for the club to win a major trophy. The FA Cup this year provides a great opportunity since, apart from Arsenal, there are no other top teams involved. Wigan, Hull city, and Sheffield United make up the remaining teams in the semifinals of the competition.

Wenger’s previous visits to the Wembley has not been great, but he is hoping for a top-class performance from his team just as they have done in the other stages of the FA Cup this season.

"We must defend better than at Everton - we have to go back to basics. We play against a good opponent who have done well in this competition. They beat Manchester City at Manchester City. But this is great chance for us and we want to take the opportunity to get into the final. We are in a position where we can still do very well until the end of the season, that is what we want,” said Wenger ahead of the match.