I have no case for the defence! Arsene Wenger lost for words over Arsenal's defensive woes

Arsenal's Premier League campaign has crumbled in the last three weeks, with just two points from four matches. The first of those was the humiliating 6-0 defeat at Chelsea, the most recent a 3-0 beating at Everton during which his team looked devoid of belief.

"We have lost a little bit of confidence, you could see that against Everton because it all went bad for us," said Wenger yesterday.

"What has been strange this season is that for a long time we looked very strong defensively, we had an outstanding defensive record, and we lost it suddenly. That's the surprise of the season for me."

A few weeks ago Arsenal were in contention for the Double; now it is only the FA Cup and tomorrow's semi-final against the holders Wigan that occupies Wenger's attention.

When Championship side Wigan shocked Manchester City to claim their place in the last four, Gunners' fans were rubbing their hands in anticipation of a straightforward route to the final. Not any more.

No Arsenal supporter can take anything for granted at Wembley today after their team's recent run of only three wins in their last 11 League games.

Wenger, looking for his first trophy since Arsenal won the FA Cup in 2005, agrees his team, which will welcome Aaron Ramsey back into the starting line-up, cannot afford to start tentatively.

"When you don't start strong you always put yourself in a dangerous situation," he said. "It is linked with belief. The only time when we started really strong and with authority in a big game recently was Bayern Munich. All the others we've started on the back foot."

Arsenal have beaten Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton on their way to the semi-finals, but those impressive wins came when the team was still confidently chasing the League title too.

Now a malaise has hit the club with midfielder Santi Cazorla accusing his team-mates of lacking a winning mentality as they prepare for a match that could put some gloss on their season.

The battle for Champions League qualification is still very much on for the Gunners but Wenger yesterday would look no further than tomorrow's tea-time kick-off.

"We are in a competition where we have a great opportunity, we play against a good opponent but it's a great challenge for us," he said.

"We highly respect Wigan for what they have done and the best way to go to the final is to do that. They have shown against Manchester City they can be a dangerous team."

Wenger will not be drawn on next season because that involves more speculation about his own future with a new contract not yet signed. "For us what is very important is to win the semi-final and it's important we focus on that," he said.

"We are in a position where we can still do very well until the end of the season. It is not about next season, it is about this season."

A poor finish to the season - no FA Cup success and only a Europa League place in prospect - would add to the doubts that Wenger will carry on after 18 years in charge.

Would he rather win the FA Cup or finish fourth in the League?

"I will not choose because what is important after our performance against Everton is to respond well," he said. "That's where our future lies: in our capacity to respond with a strong performance in the next game, and the next game is the FA Cup."

Arsenal are boosted by the return to the midfield of Ramsey, who has been sorely missed since suffering a thigh injury on Boxing Day.

He has played only 24 minutes since then, coming on at Goodison Park last Sunday, and in an ideal world would not start at Wembley. But with Arsenal needing inspiration and with Mathieu Flamini suspended, Ramsey will do so.

Doubts abouts Kieran Gibbs, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cloud the selection of a side that will definitely be without Jack Wilshere, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny.