It has not been a great few weeks for Unai Emery and his team.
A 3-0 defeat against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon was the Gunners' third loss in a row in the League. They have also conceded three goals in each of them games.
But Arsenal have a welcome distraction in the mould of a Europa League semi-final against Valencia, of which the first leg is tonight (Thursday). Emery's men beat Napoli by an aggregate score of 3-0 in the quarter-final in order to reach this stage.
Arsenal picture special: Ozil, Monreal, Lacazette and Lichtsteiner train ahead of Valencia clash
With their league form somewhat faltering in the race for the top four in the Premier League, the Gunners may see winning the competition as the best way to ensure that Champions League football will be at the Emirates Stadium next season.
For the latest Arsenal news, including buildup to the match, take a look below.
Has Ramsey played his last game for Arsenal?
Unfortunately, it has been confirmed by the Unai Emery that the midfielder won't be making a return before the end of the season as the club and player had hoped.
The Welshman picked up a hamstring injury in the Europa League quarter-final against Napoli last month, but was hopeful of being back fit before the season ends in a couple of weeks. However, manager Unai Emery has confirmed that the player won't be playing in a red shirt again ahead of his summer move to Juventus.
"Yes. We cannot use him," he said during his pre-match presser on Wednesday. "We have players but really he was in a good moment when he got his injury.
"For me it’s a good experience with him.. His heart is red. I want to enjoy with him. I want to do something important with him.
"He is not on the pitch but he is with us."
Aaron Ramsey deserves a spectacular Arsenal swansong but his commitment proved to be a fault
Arsenal have also confirmed that Nacho Monreal is being assessed as to whether he will be able to play against Valencia, after missing the defeat vs Leicester with a calf problem, while loanee Denis Suarez has returned to parent club Barcelona with a groin injury.
The search for 'world class' defender
It is being reported that Arsenal boss Emery is in the market for a defender when the summer transfer window opens, and has demanded to the Gunners board that they sign a 'world class' centre half.
As reported by The Sun , names on the list of possible targets include Chelsea's Kurt Zouma, Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, Leicester's Harry Maguire and Getafe’s Djene Dakonam. All of which will be expensive buys.
However, the club are reportedly ready to hold a fire sale in order to raise funds for investment in the sqaud, with players such as Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Shkodran Mustafi all being made available for buying clubs.
The last three Premier League games may have encouraged Emery to push more for a new defender in order to help out a back line that has been struggling to keep out the goals in recent weeks. Conceding nine goals over three games against Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leicester will have alarm bells ringing.
Emery speaks ahead of Valencia match
As with every game, Unai Emery held his pre-match press conference yesterday (Wednesday), ahead of his side's Europa League semi-final clash with Valencia tonight (Thursday).
In the press conference, the manager gave his thoughts on the upcoming semi-final.
Arsenal must change their number one transfer priority to solve Unai Emery's biggest issue
"We will do everything we can we have two very tough games against Valencia," he said. "So we will need to be well organised and get a good result at home. We know it will be tough over there.
"We will need to be focused and play well as team particularly as our recent results have not gone well. Confidence has dropped slightly but we are professionals."
Emery was also joined by defender Laurent Koscielny.
Ozil, Monreal, Suarez - Arsenal team news and probable XI for Europa League tie vs Valencia
Topics covered included the manager's time in Spain, Aaron Ramsey's injury and if the Europa League is now the club's best route to Champions League football next season.
You can read every word that both Emery and Koscielny said to the press HERE.
New Arsenal 2019/20 kits: Home shirt, bruised banana and all the latest leaked Adidas images
Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android .
Available to download from the App Store and Google Play .
