Arsenal hero Martin Keown says today's North London derby against Tottenham is the most important in years.
Keown warns patience is beginning to wear thin at the Emirates and believes a massive spending spree is required this summer to stop the rot.
He admits: “I don't know if I can remember a more important derby game.
“Nobody expected Arsenal to be this low because they are the third most successful club in England and steeped in history.
“There has to be a level of patience with Arteta and they have to back him in the summer to let him put more pieces into the jigsaw puzzle.
“But they won't wait forever because there are too many good teams ahead of them and I can't see them making it into the top four this season.
“They are seven points behind Spurs so this is a huge part of the season for them and they have got to win these games. Arteta is in a results business and when you lose to Spurs the fans are on your back so this weekend it's all about beating the rivals to keep people on board and look to the future."
