It is somewhat surprising given the doom and gloom surrounding Arsenal recently that The Gunners finished just four points off top spot, but coming in so close to Manchester United does not disguise the fact that substantial surgery will be required in the summer.
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A season that started with a run of 21 games unbeaten in all competitions has ended, for the third year in succession, without a trophy to The Gunners’ name. It must be noted though that many observers thought Tottenham would finish above their rivals and this season has certainly been one of impressive progress for the red half of North London.
No-one could have predicted Eduardo da Silva’s injury at Birmingham City that sparked that disastrous run of eight points from eight games, but even managing to finish the season with a tally of 83, Arsenal have reached a level that would have given them the title in six of the thirteen seasons since The Premier League was reduced to 20 teams.
However, all six of these seasons came before The Gunners went the season unbeaten in 2003-2004 and Roman Abramovich’s arrival at Chelsea the summer preceding that campaign certainly precipitated a sea-change in the standards required to triumph in the English elite.
Back when the likes of David May and Jesper Blomqvist were gracing the United side, Sir Alex Ferguson used to believe that a team could afford to lose no more than five games to win the title – this season none of the top four suffered as many as six defeats.
It is within this extreme demand for quality that Arsenal must operate and there is no doubt that Arsene Wenger has a busy summer ahead of him – particularly as he looks to overhaul a midfield that is falling apart at the seams, despite his best efforts.
One would suspect that it was financial motivations rather than concerns over Arsenal’s potential that led Mathieu Flamini to join Milan, and Alexander Hleb may yet join him in Italy if Inter get their way.
With Tomas Rosicky – out since January – apparently a firm fixture in the physio’s room then Wenger faces embarking on a title challenge next season with just one of his first choice quartet that started this campaign back in August.
Nicklas Bendtner showed glimpses of his talent again at Sunderland but the Dane cannot be relied upon as a third choice striker with Eduardo sidelined. Given Robin van Persie’s tendency to pick up injuries as frequently as Tomas Ro-sicknote, a striker should also be on the agenda.
Add in a defence requiring some leadership, and a goalkeeper in Manuel Almunia who has gone the majority of the season without making a distinctly memorable save, and it is clear there is work to be done at Emirates Stadium.
If the club can finally replace David Dein and give Wenger the support he needs in his transfer manoeuvres then you would not bet against the Frenchman adding a few more quality, yet unheralded, signings in the mould of Bacary Sagna.
There are unlikely to be super-star signings though, when has Wenger ever gone down that route?
United and Chelsea can be guaranteed to splash the cash and Wenger may have to outdo himself just to keep pace. After all, four points may seem like a slim margin, but in the current top-flight climate it is something of a gulf.