These are concerning times for Arsenal Football Club.

After getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers and suffering a convincing loss to Bayern Munich in the first leg of Champions League Round of 16, the team looks set to stretch its trophy drought to eight years. As a die-hard Arsenal fan, I am concerned about the direction in which the club is heading.

Understandably, supporters are frustrated, and most have vented their anger toward the club’s long-serving manager, Arsène Wenger.

I have always been a great admirer of Wenger and what he has achieved during his time with the club. Even though a Wenger supporter like myself has at times questioned some of the manager’s decisions regarding transfers, team selections and game plans, I think he deserves more respect than he currently gets.

Supporters chanting “You don’t know what you are doing!” at Wenger are too quick to forget his loyal contributions to the club since he arrived in 1996. Regardless of the current crisis situation, Arsenal Football Club is still recognized as one of the biggest teams in the world, and it would not be that way if not for Arsène Wenger.

Even though fans can rightly question the manager, the players also have to take some responsibility for this current dip in form.

Yes, Arsenal has let its stars leave over the past few years — Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, to name a couple. Yes, Arsenal has failed to replace those that left with equally talented players and refused to spend big like other top teams.

However, when I look at the current roster, it is still filled with talented, international footballers like Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott. A team of that quality should not be crashing out of domestic cup competitions to lower-league teams like Bradford City and Blackburn.

The problem is that Arsenal has not been consistent enough to go all the way in cup competitions, let alone stay in the Premier League title race. I believe that Arsenal, on its day, can beat any team in the world.

On match day, however, I do not know what version of Arsenal I will witness — an incisive, clinical and ruthless performance, or a lethargic and indifferent one.

Unless a miracle occurs, Arsenal will be eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the second leg of the tie, and the team will be trophy-less for yet another season.

But the season is far from over.

Sure, I would rather see the team challenge for the top spot in the league and win major trophies, but all Arsenal can focus on now is finishing fourth and securing Champions League football for next season. Moreover, qualifying for the Champions league is so important to the team’s financial revenue and stature in world football, and it would be a major disaster if Arsenal finishes outside the top four this season.

With all the crisis talk, one wouldn’t think that Arsenal is currently on a good run of form in the league, unbeaten in its last five games with four wins. As unconvincing as it was, last weekend’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa was a major boost for the team’s hopes of a top-four finish. It leaves Arsenal two points behind fourth-place Chelsea and within striking distance of Tottenham in third.

Arsenal is scheduled to play its biggest game of the season at Tottenham this Sunday. In terms of league position, it would do the team’s confidence a world of good in their quest for fourth spot if they beat the Spurs. On the flip side, the Gunners’ season could be over if they lose on Saturday, so the players have to make sure they stay solid and at least don’t get beaten.

It is a make or break game for Arsenal, and the team has to go out there and give its maximum effort.

Arsenal fans are one of the greatest groups of fans in world sports. They have stuck by the team through good times and bad.

It is a shame that the team has let down its supporters too many times, especially this season. If there are particular games that Arsenal fans look forward to the most in a league season, those two matches against Tottenham are right up there on the list.

Now is the time for the players to show that they care deeply about the football club and its fans by delivering a top performance at White Hart Lane this weekend.