Martin Keown has admitted Arsenal will be happy if they qualify for the Europa League, following a turbulent season, and has called for the club to back Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have seen their fightback since Christmas halted following two consecutive defeats to Wolves and Aston Villa, while they also suffered FA Cup elimination.
That has left the Europa League as Arsenal's priority this season, with victory in the competition providing an avenue back into the Champions League.
However, there is a long way to go in that competition and Arsenal will still need to compete in the league, where qualification for next season's Europa League can be achieved.
Pressure will rise on Arsenal and Arteta in the coming weeks, with a crucial run of fixtures that starts with the hosting of Leeds United this afternoon.
That is followed by Europa League matches against Benfica in Rome and Athens, as well as Premier League tests against Manchester City and Leicester City.
A European exit and further Premier League defeats would increase the pressure on Arsenal's Spanish boss further but Keown has faith in the former midfielder, outlining Europa League qualification as an achievement the club will be happy with.
"This is a chance now to really turn it around. The pressure is on, they finished eighth last season, they’re out of the FA Cup, Europa League is probably their best chance," he told BBC's Football Focus.
"So the pressure is building on Arteta, I do feel he is the man for the future and needs to be given time to buy players in the summer but Arsenal are going down the table fast.
"At the moment they have even played a game more than Leeds and are below them in the table right now. If they can finish in the Europa League spots then they will almost be happy with that."
