Arsenal should be challenging for a spot in the Premier League's top two under Unai Emery, according to former Gunners vice-chairman David Dein.
Emery's side beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to ensure that they will spend the international break in third place, just a point behind Manchester City in second.
Getting back into the Premier League's top four and thus returning to the Champions League has been seen as Emery's big target this season, which is Arsenal's third outside of European football's premier competition.
But with City stuttering this season and now eight points adrift of leaders Liverpool , Dein - who left his position with the Gunners in 2007 after 24 years at the club - says Emery should be aiming higher.
“I’ve never subscribed to that [aiming for the top four]," he told Sky Sports at an event honouring former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
“I’ve always felt Arsenal had to be challenging for at least first or second in the league every year.
“That has to be the ambition at the start of the season.”
On Emery himself, Dein went on to preach patience.
“I think it’s a work in progress. We have to patient,” he continued.
“It’s not easy today as everyone expects instant success, and you can see what has happened to other clubs around us.
“Everyone thinks it is so easy, you turn the tap on and you get hot water, but it’s not quite as easy as that.
“[But] I think we set a certain standard and we expect them to be up at the top challenging for first or second place."
Th Gunners are back in action after the international break, when they go to Sheffield United on October 21.
