Mikel Arteta has revealed that the Gunners are far from competing with the big guns both in England and in Europe.
"It has to be a long-term project," the boss told Sky Sports. "In the short-term we cannot achieve all the things that this club needs.
"It wants to fight now with the top teams in this country and in Europe, but it is not possible. We are very far behind at the moment and everything shows how far behind we are.
"We need to make that gap shorter and shorter. But it's going to take a lot of right decisions and a great amount of energy and commitment."
Arsenal currently sit 10th in the table 10 point behind four-placed Chelsea. Mikel Arteta's side have three home fixtures in the league, which is an opportunity to make up ground on the European spots.
The Gunners are also fighting on two fronts in the cups, and both the Europa League and the FA Cup can present emergency pathways into European football next season.
