This season mirrored many others from previous seasons as Arsenal again displayed beautiful, graceful and flowing football and produced some memorable nights at the Emirates Stadium, including defeating Barcelona in the Champions League group stage and a resounding victory over Chelsea.

The optimism of the start of the season was short-lived as Arsenal again finished the season without a trophy, the Gunners finishing fourth in the Premier League, which will now require them to qualify for the Champions League group stage. of the next year.

Like so many previous seasons in recent years, the Gunners’ season was full of promise and it seemed certain that they would win their first trophy in six years when they took on a modest side from Birmingham at Wembley Stadium in the final of the Carling Cup in February, but Arsenal were shockingly beaten by a determined and tough Birmingham side, who showed a resilience that Arsenal have woefully lacked in recent years. Loss in the Carling Cup final seemed to shock the team and their confidence evaporated as their season ended with a groan.

Even the most ardent Arsenal fan must now begin to question the policies and management of Arsene Wenger, who enjoyed such success during his first season with the club. The lack of correction of glaring problems within the central defense and the lack of tenacity within the team took their toll as the season progressed. Many fans have refused to criticize the coach in previous seasons, but now most realists will admit any criticism is warranted.

Wenger has vowed to continue the club’s policy of developing its own players and refusing to spend large sums on the transfer market, unlike many of their Premiership rivals. This decision will put the manager under huge pressure next season, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and even Liverpool willing to spend huge amounts on players during the summer months.

Arsenal are still credited for playing beautiful football and have continued to develop a number of young players, including Jack Wilshere, who is set to become a leading player for both club and country in the years to come. Wojciech Szczesny is proving that he has the talent to become the reliable goalkeeper that Arsenal have been looking for for several seasons.

Arsenal’s activity in this summer’s transfer market will be closely watched, failure to make the right signings could be a defining moment for their manager, as fans pledging their allegiance to the manager and displaying banners around the stadiums that say “We at Arsene trust” that they will eventually lose their patience.