Whether the Gunners can rectify their Premiership plight, having dropped to eighth spot, remains to be seen, with Tottenham and Bolton competing for Champions League places along with Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, Bergkamp offered an honest assessment of Arsenal’s predicament following their 2-0 defeat by Chelsea, the first time that the club had lost three consecutive league matches for more than 10 years.

“We have to adjust to a higher level in the Premier League. We are a long way behind but the situation we’re now in doesn’t really surprise me,” he admitted.

“We have a very young team and, because of that, I’m not surprised that we are not having a top season – especially in games like this.

“But I think what cost us was losing at Bolton and Newcastle, we gave it away more in those games than against Chelsea.”

Bergkamp, who is in his final season at the age of 36, is one of a handful of senior outfield players, along with Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Gilberto and Sol Campbell.

But while Henry is a world-class talent, the loss of Patrick Vieira becomes more acute with each defeat as Mathieu Flamini, 21, and Cesc Fabregas, 18, as well as 20-year-old Philippe Senderos, were simply overpowered by Chelsea.

Arsenal may still be in the Champions League, with a two-legged last-16 clash against Real Madrid in February and March, but Bergkamp warned they cannot wait for those games to pull their season around.

“We have to be realistic and focus on the Champions League,” he said.

“But although the Premiership will be very tough, we don’t want to let it go. If we don’t get back to our level, we will have trouble when it comes to the Champions League.”

Henry, meanwhile, added: “The Real Madrid game is in February. We need to get back to the business in December and January.

“Maybe we’ll be in better shape by then. It’s another competition but surely it’s better if we get back on track before then.

“Look at where Liverpool were at the start of the season and where they are now. Things can happen for you if you go on a run.

“But like for us, when you go on a bad run, things go the other way. The main thing is that we all have to raise our game.”

Henry admitted Arsenal are enduring one of their toughest periods since he joined the club in 1999, having never before finished outside the top two in the Premiership.

“Obviously it’s tough but we need to keep on going and make sure it doesn’t affect us. That’s three league defeats in a row and that’s never happened to me at Arsenal,” he said.

Henry bemoaned Arsenal’s run of bad luck, especially having hit the post three times in their past three defeats, while Robin van Persie had a ’goal’ harshly ruled out for offside against Chelsea.

“Without taking anything away from Chelsea, the decisions went their way and, otherwise, it could’ve been another game,” he observed ruefully.

“Even though Arjen Robben’s goal was a good finish, the ball hit the post and went in. I hit the post and it didn’t go in.

“I don’t think we were outplayed. The only time we were actually outplayed was at Bolton. Things aren’t going our way. It’s not an excuse but it’s the way it is.

“The main thing is that we all have to raise our game. It’s not only down to one or two players, we all now have to raise our game against Doncaster and Charlton.”

Although Arsenal’s next match is the midweek Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Doncaster, Wenger is set to continue his tactic of fielding a reserve-strength side.

The seniors, meanwhile, will be rested for the key fixture at The Valley on St Stephen's Day, when Gilberto will be free of suspension and Jose Antonio Reyes could have recovered from injury.

Henry concluded: “It’s going to be crucial as Charlton aren’t doing that well in the league and we’re not either. It’s vital now, more than ever, to get the three points.”