That is the opinion of BT Sport pundit and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
Chelsea won 4-1 in Baku to prevent Gunners head coach Unai Emery from winning his fourth Europa League triumph.
A second-half brace from Eden Hazard and one apiece from Olivier Giroud and Pedro saw off their London rivals.
Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League so therefore will miss out on Champions League qualification for a third successive season.
Keown says massive work is needed but he doubts whether the resources are there to make the necessary improvements.
And he claims former manager Arsene Wenger hung around too long, which has contributed to the club’s fall from grace.
“I think it was a system failure from Arsenal,” Keown said.
“But congratulations to Chelsea who were just too good for Arsenal tonight.
“It really magnifies the decline of Arsenal Football Club.
“It hurts me to say it but that football club is nowhere near the club it once was.
“Are we back now to the ‘80s as a football club?
“It was the promised land, the Emirates.
“Whether it was Arsene Wenger who was there too long.
“There is massive work there now. Recruitment is what it has to be.
“I don’t know if the budget is there to pull Arsenal back up again into the top four next season.”
