After four years of near misses at Arsenal, the club’s hierarchy is reportedly running out of patience with their bid to end a trophyless drought. And while it’s understandable, they might want to be careful not to add to the pressure the team and manager are already under.

The promises of building a dynasty as yet hasn’t materialised and although entertaining football with a youthful presence at the heart of it is very much in evidence, Arsene Wenger knows the time to deliver is approaching.

But the most important objective for a big club – even more than winning a domestic cup competition – is to maintain their position at the highest level of the game by ensuring top four finishes and regular qualification for the Champions League.

As Wenger stated last season, when he was pressed on the issue of failing to land a trophy since 2005, winning something like the League Cup and finishing tenth in the Premier League does not represent progress.

For the sentimentalists it’s sad. Football is after all a competition when cup finals and trips to Wembley is something all supporters love to see. At one point in the not to distant past the FA Cup was probably the most prestigious competition, even ahead of the European Cup, for most English clubs.

But for the Premier League’s elite, and that includes Arsenal, it can’t be the case anymore. The revenue, the prestige and the progress is measured by performing in that League and the Champions League.

A victory in the FA Cup might mean more space has to be made in the trophy cabinet, but an early exit from Europe and finishing fifth won’t do.

One problem that has hampered Arsenal’s ambitions is whenever they look as if they are on the brink of something special, they are often hindered with high-profile departures which seems to send them right back where they started.

For the sentimentalists it’s sad. Football is after all a competition when cup finals and trips to Wembley is something all supporters love to see. At one point in the not to distant past the FA Cup was probably the most prestigious competition, even ahead of the European Cup, for most English clubs.