Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown says it's a real slap in the face that the Gunners won't be winning any domestic titles after bowing out of the FA Cup.
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Blackburn Rovers beat Arsenal at the Emirates with a strike by Colin Kazim-Richards in the 72nd minute, in a game that the hosts dominated.
Keown praised the Rovers defence for their gritty approach and slated the Gunners' forwards for not making sure of the glut of chances that came their way.
Arsenal's last chance for silverware is the Champions League trophy and they face Bayern Munich on Tuesday in a last-16 encounter.
"The expectations are incredibly high at Arsenal and Arsene Wenger will know better than anybody else that this is turning into a very disappointing season for Arsenal. At the beginning, things threatened to start turning around but now the questions are coming," Keown told the BBC.
"There will be a serious examination. The manager always looks at himself first. He is fiercely competitive and fiercely demanding and if his players are not able to come up to speed he will make some changes.
"Having won the FA Cup in an Arsenal shirt for Arsenal, I know what it means and what it feels like. I just felt there weren't enough people early enough in this match trying hard enough to win it. Arsenal have taken a real smack in the face.
"Gervinho was put through by Tomas Rosicky, a glaring opportunity, but there was a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
"It was so disappointing not to be able to convert those endless corners and shots and the amount of possession they had. But Blackburn showed what can happen in football if you keep going, you're resolute, and you're well organised.
"Lee Williamson and Jason Lowe never stopped running in midfield, while central defenders Grant Hanley and Scott Dann will not have played a better game this season, or maybe in their entire careers. And the goalkeeper Jake Kean was on another planet. Every single one of them, the manager Michael Appleton included were outstanding. Williamson made his debut so it was quite a raw team with one or two individuals that have played in the Premier League.
"All credit to Mike Appleton and his team, they've somehow managed to win here and go through into the next round. They're enjoying it now with their fans, and this will live long in the memory for both the Arsenal and Blackburn supporters for very different reasons."
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