Arsenal’s lack of a winning mentality and self-belief is to blame for their recent slump in form, midfielder Santi Cazorla has admitted ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Wigan.

The Gunners have fallen out of the Premier League title race and are in serious danger of missing out on the top four altogether following the 3-0 defeat to fifth-placed Everton on the weekend. The FA Cup is now the only option the club have of ending their barren run that has seen them go nine years without a trophy, and Cazaorla has admitted in the build-up to the Wembley match that the side have shown a lack of a champions mentality in recent weeks which has cost them dear.

“We haven’t got a winning mentality and we have to believe in ourselves (more),” said Cazorla. “Sometimes you can get used to not fighting, but we can’t do that. Arsenal is and will always be a historic football club, we have to look forward.

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“We’ve been unlucky in several games. We had a lot of chances to win against Manchester United and there was Ozil’s penalty (against Bayern). We couldn’t recover after going out against Bayern in the Champions League.

Shape Created with Sketch. Arsenal: The latest match pictures Show all 75 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Arsenal: The latest match pictures 1/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Aaron Ramesy celebrates after scoring the winning goal GETTY IMAGES 2/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Laurent Koscielny prods the ball in for the equaliser and is injured by Allan McGregor in doing so GETTY IMAGES 3/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Bacary Sagna wins the header that would lead to Laurent Koscielny's equalising goal GETTY IMAGES 4/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Santi Cazorla jumps into the air in celebration after pulling a goal back for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 5/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Santi Cazorla curls in a superb free-kick to get Arsenal back into the game GETTY IMAGES 6/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Curtis Davies and his Hull teammates celebrate after Hull go 2-0 up GETTY IMAGES 7/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Curtis Davies slams in Hull's second on the rebound after Lukasz Fabianski pushes Alex Bruce's header onto the post GETTY IMAGES 8/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 James Chester celebrates with his Hull teammates after scoring the opening goal after just four minutes GETTY IMAGES 9/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 James Chester and Alex Bruce celebrate going in front with Arsenal players looking on GETTY IMAGES 10/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 A young Norwich fan holds up a sign GETTY IMAGES 11/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Fit again Jack WIlshere competes with Bradley Johnson GETTY IMAGES 12/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Carl Jenkinson celebrates scoring the away side's second, his first goal for the club GETTY IMAGES 13/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Norwich Getty Images 14/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey scores a superb volley to put the Gunners ahead GETTY IMAGES 15/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 The Arsenal players line-up before the match GETTY IMAGES 16/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 West Brom manager Pepe Mel looks on from the sidelines GETTY IMAGES 17/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mesut Ozil escapes the attention of James Morrison 18/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal into a 14th minute lead 19/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal against West Brom GETTY IMAGES 20/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mikel Arteta turns away from Diego Lugano 21/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mathieu Flamini unleashes a shot on goal 22/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Santi Cazorla brings the ball under control 23/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Arsene Wenger waves to the Arsenal crowd after the final whistle 24/75 Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud climbs highest to head in his side’s third goal of the night PA 25/75 Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 German midfielder Mesut Ozil, right, celebrates with Frenchman Olivier Giroud after scoring the second goal of the night Getty 26/75 Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 French defender Laurent Koscielny celebrates after opening the scoring Getty 27/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Arsene Wenger rues an early missed opportunity GETTY IMAGES 28/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 The game is held up while players remove advertising hoardings blown on to the pitch GETTY IMAGES 29/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Aaron Ramsey scores Arsenal's opening goal of the game GETTY IMAGES 30/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Aaron Ramsey celebrates after opening the scoring in Arsenal's win over Hull GETTY IMAGES 31/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Tom Huddlestone beats Santi Cazorla to a header GETTY IMAGES 32/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski volleys in Arsenal's second goal just before half-time GETTY IMAGES 33/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Hull players protest to referee Jonathan Moss after Nikica Jelavic was fouled in the build-up to Arsenal's second goal GETTY IMAGES 34/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal in their 3-0 win over Hull GETTY IMAGES 35/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski nets his second and Arsenal's third after Steve Harper failed to hold Aaron Ramsey's shot GETTY IMAGES 36/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski celebrates his second goal in Arsenal's win over Hull GETTY IMAGES 37/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Kim Kallstrom leaps for the ball last night, when he made an encouraging start for Arsenal after a long injury lay-off AP 38/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Lukas Podolski hammers in Arsenal's third Getty Images 39/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Oliver Giroud puts Arsenal ahead with his weaker right foot after showing sublime touch to get the ball under control Getty Images 40/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Oliver Giroud kisses the Arsenal badge after giving the Gunners the lead Getty Images 41/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Lukas Podolski equalises with a precise, powerful finish Getty Images 42/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Players, fans and officials observe a minute's silence to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to kick-off Getty Images 43/75 Wigan 1 Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 4-2 on pens) Thomas Vermaelen (third from right) celebrates with penalty-saving goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after his crucial final save GETTY IMAGES 44/75 Wigan 1 Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 4-2 on pens) Arsenal's Per Mertesacker celebrates his late equaliser at Wembley in this FA Cup semi-final Getty Images 45/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates Everton's third GETTY IMAGES 46/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Kevin Mirallas has an effort on goal but the ball comes off Mikel Arteta for an own goal GETTY IMAGES 47/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Ross Barkley has an effort on goal GETTY IMAGES 48/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Romelu Lukaku celebrates his goal with manager Roberto Martinez GETTY IMAGES 49/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Romelu Lukaku goes on a driving run and cuts inside to smash home Everton's second GETTY IMAGES 50/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Steven Naismith celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 51/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Steven Naismith slots home Everton's opening goal with a cool finish GETTY IMAGES 52/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Bacary Sagna goes in for a tackle on Leighton Baines GETTY IMAGES 53/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Leon Osman receives treatment and has to go off after a clash with Bacary Sagna GETTY IMAGES 54/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Edin Dzeko can't believe that his deflected effort goes wide GETTY IMAGES 55/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates his equaliser for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 56/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates after putting Arsenal level GETTY IMAGES 57/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Olivier Giroud remonstrates with referee Mike Dean GETTY IMAGES 58/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mikel Arteta plays the ball past Jesus Navas GETTY IMAGES 59/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Tomas Rosicky battles for the ball with Yaya Toure GETTY IMAGES 60/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Martin Demichelis confronts Tomas Rosicky after the Arsenal player's tackle leaves Gael Clichy injured GETTY IMAGES 61/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 The Arsenal players walk back to half way line looking dejected after conceding the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 62/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Edin Dzeko celebrate after the Spaniard's opening goal GETTY IMAGES 63/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Yaya Toure holds off Santi Cazorla GETTY IMAGES 64/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho holds off the challenge of Mathieu Flamini GETTY IMAGES 65/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Mathieu Flamini scores a late own goal AP 66/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Oliver Giroud finishes a fine move to put the Gunners 2-1 up AP 67/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Lukas Podolski levelled the score with a volley Getty Images 68/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Wilfried Bony uses his head to give Swansea the lead EPA 69/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Arsene Wenger complains to the referee during an awful day on his 1000th game in charge of Arsenal GETTY IMAGES 70/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his first goal for Chelsea and his side's sixth on the day GETTY IMAGES 71/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Chelsea players celebrate as Tomas Rosicky looks away GETTY IMAGES 72/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Oscar helps himself to his second of the afternoon GETTY IMAGES 73/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Wojciech Szczesny can't quite believe whats happening GETTY IMAGES 74/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Oscar taps in for Chelsea's fourth GETTY IMAGES 75/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Eden Hazard scores from the penalty spot to put Chelsea three up GETTY IMAGES 1/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Aaron Ramesy celebrates after scoring the winning goal GETTY IMAGES 2/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Laurent Koscielny prods the ball in for the equaliser and is injured by Allan McGregor in doing so GETTY IMAGES 3/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Bacary Sagna wins the header that would lead to Laurent Koscielny's equalising goal GETTY IMAGES 4/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Santi Cazorla jumps into the air in celebration after pulling a goal back for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 5/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Santi Cazorla curls in a superb free-kick to get Arsenal back into the game GETTY IMAGES 6/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Curtis Davies and his Hull teammates celebrate after Hull go 2-0 up GETTY IMAGES 7/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 Curtis Davies slams in Hull's second on the rebound after Lukasz Fabianski pushes Alex Bruce's header onto the post GETTY IMAGES 8/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 James Chester celebrates with his Hull teammates after scoring the opening goal after just four minutes GETTY IMAGES 9/75 FA Cup final - Arsenal 3 Hull 2 James Chester and Alex Bruce celebrate going in front with Arsenal players looking on GETTY IMAGES 10/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 A young Norwich fan holds up a sign GETTY IMAGES 11/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Fit again Jack WIlshere competes with Bradley Johnson GETTY IMAGES 12/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Carl Jenkinson celebrates scoring the away side's second, his first goal for the club GETTY IMAGES 13/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Norwich Getty Images 14/75 Norwich 0 Arsenal 2 Aaron Ramsey scores a superb volley to put the Gunners ahead GETTY IMAGES 15/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 The Arsenal players line-up before the match GETTY IMAGES 16/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 West Brom manager Pepe Mel looks on from the sidelines GETTY IMAGES 17/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mesut Ozil escapes the attention of James Morrison 18/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud heads Arsenal into a 14th minute lead 19/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Olivier Giroud celebrates his goal against West Brom GETTY IMAGES 20/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mikel Arteta turns away from Diego Lugano 21/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Mathieu Flamini unleashes a shot on goal 22/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Santi Cazorla brings the ball under control 23/75 Arsenal 1 West Brom 0 Arsene Wenger waves to the Arsenal crowd after the final whistle 24/75 Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud climbs highest to head in his side’s third goal of the night PA 25/75 Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 German midfielder Mesut Ozil, right, celebrates with Frenchman Olivier Giroud after scoring the second goal of the night Getty 26/75 Arsenal 3 Newcastle 0 French defender Laurent Koscielny celebrates after opening the scoring Getty 27/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Arsene Wenger rues an early missed opportunity GETTY IMAGES 28/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 The game is held up while players remove advertising hoardings blown on to the pitch GETTY IMAGES 29/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Aaron Ramsey scores Arsenal's opening goal of the game GETTY IMAGES 30/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Aaron Ramsey celebrates after opening the scoring in Arsenal's win over Hull GETTY IMAGES 31/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Tom Huddlestone beats Santi Cazorla to a header GETTY IMAGES 32/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski volleys in Arsenal's second goal just before half-time GETTY IMAGES 33/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Hull players protest to referee Jonathan Moss after Nikica Jelavic was fouled in the build-up to Arsenal's second goal GETTY IMAGES 34/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal in their 3-0 win over Hull GETTY IMAGES 35/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski nets his second and Arsenal's third after Steve Harper failed to hold Aaron Ramsey's shot GETTY IMAGES 36/75 Hull 0 Arsenal 3 Lukas Podolski celebrates his second goal in Arsenal's win over Hull GETTY IMAGES 37/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Kim Kallstrom leaps for the ball last night, when he made an encouraging start for Arsenal after a long injury lay-off AP 38/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Lukas Podolski hammers in Arsenal's third Getty Images 39/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Oliver Giroud puts Arsenal ahead with his weaker right foot after showing sublime touch to get the ball under control Getty Images 40/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Oliver Giroud kisses the Arsenal badge after giving the Gunners the lead Getty Images 41/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Lukas Podolski equalises with a precise, powerful finish Getty Images 42/75 Arsenal 3 West Ham 1 Players, fans and officials observe a minute's silence to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster prior to kick-off Getty Images 43/75 Wigan 1 Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 4-2 on pens) Thomas Vermaelen (third from right) celebrates with penalty-saving goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after his crucial final save GETTY IMAGES 44/75 Wigan 1 Arsenal 1 (Arsenal win 4-2 on pens) Arsenal's Per Mertesacker celebrates his late equaliser at Wembley in this FA Cup semi-final Getty Images 45/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates Everton's third GETTY IMAGES 46/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Kevin Mirallas has an effort on goal but the ball comes off Mikel Arteta for an own goal GETTY IMAGES 47/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Ross Barkley has an effort on goal GETTY IMAGES 48/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Romelu Lukaku celebrates his goal with manager Roberto Martinez GETTY IMAGES 49/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Romelu Lukaku goes on a driving run and cuts inside to smash home Everton's second GETTY IMAGES 50/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Steven Naismith celebrates his goal GETTY IMAGES 51/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Steven Naismith slots home Everton's opening goal with a cool finish GETTY IMAGES 52/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Bacary Sagna goes in for a tackle on Leighton Baines GETTY IMAGES 53/75 Everton 3 Arsenal 0 Leon Osman receives treatment and has to go off after a clash with Bacary Sagna GETTY IMAGES 54/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Edin Dzeko can't believe that his deflected effort goes wide GETTY IMAGES 55/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates his equaliser for the Gunners GETTY IMAGES 56/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mathieu Flamini celebrates after putting Arsenal level GETTY IMAGES 57/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Olivier Giroud remonstrates with referee Mike Dean GETTY IMAGES 58/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Mikel Arteta plays the ball past Jesus Navas GETTY IMAGES 59/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Tomas Rosicky battles for the ball with Yaya Toure GETTY IMAGES 60/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Martin Demichelis confronts Tomas Rosicky after the Arsenal player's tackle leaves Gael Clichy injured GETTY IMAGES 61/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 The Arsenal players walk back to half way line looking dejected after conceding the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 62/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 David Silva and Edin Dzeko celebrate after the Spaniard's opening goal GETTY IMAGES 63/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Yaya Toure holds off Santi Cazorla GETTY IMAGES 64/75 Arsenal 1 Manchester City 1 Fernandinho holds off the challenge of Mathieu Flamini GETTY IMAGES 65/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Mathieu Flamini scores a late own goal AP 66/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Oliver Giroud finishes a fine move to put the Gunners 2-1 up AP 67/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Lukas Podolski levelled the score with a volley Getty Images 68/75 Arsenal 2 Swansea 2 Wilfried Bony uses his head to give Swansea the lead EPA 69/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Arsene Wenger complains to the referee during an awful day on his 1000th game in charge of Arsenal GETTY IMAGES 70/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his first goal for Chelsea and his side's sixth on the day GETTY IMAGES 71/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Chelsea players celebrate as Tomas Rosicky looks away GETTY IMAGES 72/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Oscar helps himself to his second of the afternoon GETTY IMAGES 73/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Wojciech Szczesny can't quite believe whats happening GETTY IMAGES 74/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Oscar taps in for Chelsea's fourth GETTY IMAGES 75/75 Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0 Eden Hazard scores from the penalty spot to put Chelsea three up GETTY IMAGES

“And the defeat against Stoke finished us. You can’t lose against Stoke if you aspire to be the next champion.”

Worryingly for Gunners’ fans, Cazorla explained that he is determined to succeed in his hunt for silverware, and if that means leaving the club to boost his chances, then he is willing to make that decision.

The north London side have already seen their best players in recent years such as Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leave the club after long spells without success, and Cazorla could also look elsewhere in the future – but only if he does not reach that goal with his current club.

“I want titles and that is why I came to Arsenal,” Cazorla explained. “Every football player wants to win titles. We’ve gone many years without winning one. And if not, what I’ll look for in my next destination is to have the chance to win.”

The midfielder agreed to extend his contract last month, tying his future down until 2016 when he will be 31, and Cazorla is refusing to rule out a return to Spain if he feels that is the best option available.

“I don’t want to close doors, but nowadays I’ve a contract with Arsenal for two more seasons,” Cazorla explained. “When I’m turning 31 I’ll evaluate myself and I’ll choose the best option. In which case, I would be delighted to come back [to Spain].”

The club’s dramatic fall from the top of the Premier League has coincided with the absence of a number of key players, with long-term injuries to Theo Walcott, Mesut Özil, Jack Wilshere and the recently returned Aaron Ramsey robbing the side of their pace in attack.

It was the £42.5m addition of Özil last summer that renewed Arsenal supporters’ hopes that they could challenge for a first Premier League title since 2003-04, and while their season got off to a good start, it has tailed off as injuries have taken their toll.

Cazorla feels that the big-spending approach is the right one to take if Arsenal are to compete in the years to come, and wants to see more additions of the talents akin to the German playmaker in the near-future.

“Arsenal has everything to win. History, infrastructure, an incredible stadium and great players,” he told website Sport360. “But we have to improve at crucial moments and sign the best football players because if you don’t do that, you may lag behind others.

“That is what makes it different at other clubs. You’ve a good example in Manchester City who signed Fernandiho, (Alvaro) Negredo... or even Manchester United with (Robin) van Persie and (Juan) Mata.

“Arsenal know what they need next season, but it’s almost impossible to win a title if we haven’t got these kind of things.”

He also took the time to back his midfield team-mate Özil after the 25-year-old was recently criticised for his own slump in form. Cazorla feels that if the fans show confidence in his abilities, then they will reap the rewards of an “extraordinary” player.

“He has come at a difficult time,” admitted Cazorla. “When he arrived in London, he did an extraordinary job and people demanded his best level every match. But when he decreased his performance, the team suffered.

“Besides, I read a lot of articles about Özil in Spain that affected him. We need to give him confidence and to show affection.”

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