Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the third time in four seasons by comprehensively seeing off non-league outfit Lincoln City 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The National League leaders knocked Oldham, Ipswich, Brighton, and Burnley out of the competition en route to the last eight, but Arsene Wenger’s Gunners were one step too far for the Imps, with Theo Walcott’s strike in first half injury-time proving to be their undoing.

That’s because the floodgates opened after the break, with goals from Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, and Aaron Ramsey, as well as an own goal from Luke Waterfall, sealing a comfortable victory for Wenger’s men, who will go on to face Manchester City in the semi-finals at Wembley.

Arsenal have given themselves a chance of a third FA Cup title in the past four years, and given that they are fifth in the Premier League, they may well finish in the top four for a 21st successive season under Wenger.

Nonetheless, this hasn’t prevented questions being asked of the Frenchman’s future at the Emirates, and with he yet to agree a new deal at the club, it looks set to be a massive few months for the Gunners and their manager.

With the FA Cup and the top four to play for, Wenger has some big games coming up between now and May, and here are THREE things he needs to change at the Emirates to save their season…

Decide upon the left-back

Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal have been battling for the left-back spot over the last few weeks, despite it looking like the latter had it nailed down earlier in the campaign.

The Spaniard has started 23 of Arsenal’s 26 Premier League games this term, Gibbs the other three, but the England international did start their 2-0 success over Hull a few weeks ago, and performed reasonably well.

There are question marks about both, Monreal’s pace for a start, but it is up to Wenger to make a clear-cut decision as Arsenal need a settled back four between now and May, the rotation policy needs changing.

They have conceded 31 goals this term, only Liverpool have conceded more in the top seven, so consistency is needed if the Gunners want to finish in the top four and indeed have success in the FA Cup.

Midfield combination

It’s an area of the pitch that Arsenal have struggled in for a while now, and at times the central midfield position has been an issue this term as well.

Granit Xhaka has had disciplinary issues, he has picked up five successive bookings since getting sent off against Burnley, but has performed well at times, while Mohamed Elneny has had injury problems and was away on international duty throughout January.

Add in that Francis Coquelin has been far from his best, and Wenger clearly has some issues to address in that midfield area, but one man he has to use there is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who came into that area against Chelsea after Wenger saw his options depleted by injury and suspension.

And the England international has done well, be it his stellar display against Hull or his fine effort against Bayern Munich, and now it is up to Wenger to back him in that role, and decide who plays alongside him.

Xhaka is probably the most talented, but cannot be considered reliable, while Elneny remains injured and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be back to his best upon return – nonetheless, it’s an area Wenger must tweak and alter to get right ahead of the run in.

Mentality versus top sides

Regardless of what has gone before, the single biggest thing Wenger must do is change their mentality against the top sides.

Once again, Arsenal have been hopeless against the top six teams in the Premier League this term, winning just one of their seven league games against them, and losing four of the other six.

They still have to face Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham in the league between now and May, which are games that could decide their top four fate, but more importantly, they will have to beat two of the top three sides to win the FA Cup.

Wenger’s side face Pep Guardiola’s City at Wembley in the semi-final while Chelsea meet Tottenham in the other, meaning that the Gunners will have to change their big game mentality if they are to win the competition this term.

Whether that means that Wenger will need to change his system and tactics remains to be seen, but ultimately there remains a psychological barrier against the top sides, and it’s one that has to be overcome if they are to finish in the top four, and indeed win the FA Cup.