Where Arsenal can improve next season

Finishing second in the Premier League - which after the Swansea result is no longer in Arsenal's control - and retaining the FA Cup would be considered as an excellent end to the 2014/2015 campaign for Arsenal, but it may be a season that the Gunners may look back on with a feeling of disappointment. The side never really came close to mounting a serious challenge for the league title, while the manner of Arsenal’s Champions League exit at the hands of Monaco took many by surprise.

Fortunately for Arsenal, the latter did not derail Arsene Wenger’s side who have since went on a superb run of form that has all but secured a top four finish and put them in pole position to finish in the automatic qualification spots. Irrespective of where Arsenal finish and how they fare at Wembley on May 30th, it promises to be an interesting summer at the Emirates with potential changes on and off the pitch, as reported in the media, set to leave fans on the edge of their seat in anticipation. Fans will undoubtedly have their own opinions on where the club need to improve in order to challenge for the Premier League and make amends in Europe, but there are certain areas which stand out as key areas to address.

More strikers

Injuries and suspensions are part and parcel of football, and while Arsenal have endured their fair share of absentees throughout the season, it has highlighted areas where the squad lacks depth. Olivier Giroud has enjoyed another excellent season in front of goal, but his three-month absence at the start of the campaign left Wenger without a proven goalscorer at a time when Arsenal really needed to hit the ground running. This, combined with Danny Welbeck’s lack of goals in his first year as a Gunner and Theo Walcott’s injury problems, makes it imperative for Arsenal to bring in at least two, possibly even three new strikers who are not only capable of playing in the number nine role, but also able to reach at least double figures every season. It could be a factor in bridging the gap to the likes of free-scoring Chelsea and Manchester City, and also lift some of the pressure off Giroud and Alexis Sanchez to continuously deliver in front of goal.

Strength in depth in defence

Having the likes of Calum Chambers, Stefan O’Connor and Hector Bellerin represents an extremely bright future for Arsenal at the back, but adding more quality and strength in depth to the current crop of defenders at Wenger’s disposal would not go amiss. Gabriel Paulista has shown promise since arriving in January to provide competition for first-choice partnership Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, while Bellerin has excelled in the absence of Mathieu Debuchy who has endured an injury-hit season. Arsenal have looked much more resolute and error-free in defence this season, but if top quality defenders become available during the summer that would take the team to the next level, particularly those with experience, then it would make sense to invest in this area.

New manager?

Securing an eighteen consecutive year in the Champions League may be enough to convince fans that Wenger remains the right man to take Arsenal forward, but as rumours continue to persist that the Frenchman may look to end his time at the Emirates after the FA Cup, then the club may be forced into a change. If the rumours prove to be true, then lifting the FA Cup at Wembley would be a fitting way for Wenger to end his legacy at Arsenal and avoid the ignominy of moving upstairs or leaving the club on the back of cup heartache. Some sections of fans may believe that Wenger is no longer the man to take the club forward and make them serious Premier League contenders again, with fresh impetus and ideas through a younger manager at the forefront of their beliefs. Pep Guardiola has always been the dream manager that everyone wants at the Emirates, but with Jurgen Klopp available in the summer, the charismatic German could potentially be a shoe-in if Wenger decides to leave or retire.

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