Better season

[Dein-machine]

I honestly believe that when Wenger played his part in selling us the Emirates dream, he did actually think he could make us the best in Europe. Then the Russian arrived & everything went Pete Tong. Because of his business like approach to football he then became resigned to the fact that we might not win our own league again let alone the C.L., so he hid behind the Sugar Daddy excuse & decided then to become the English version of Barca in order to compete. He never replaced the power & pace we had in the team when the likes of Henry & Viera left, instead building a team of dwarfs around Fabregas to play tippy tappy football. It was too easy to work out & we weren't as good at is as Barca because they simply had better players. We had enough quality to beat most teams in the league which always gave us a chance of top 4 but against better opposition & better tactical managers we were simply too easy to play against.
We saw pivital games like the 8-2 Manc drubbing & losing to Villa at home where he reacted by spending money ( after the season had already started ) - this just proving that deep down he was lying even to himself that his system could work. Liverpool last year would have given Wenger the biggest kick up the arse possible - a team with no more spending power than us were a Stevie G slip away from winning the league, shattering the theory that City & Chelsea are untouchable.
The second half of the season proves that we can compete but does he have it in him to do what is required to guarantee we compete. We need at least 4 more world class players to challenge over a whole season - GK,CB,DM & Striker - the spine of the team has to improve. Its there for all to see, you cannot compete with Aguero & Costa by having Giroud, you cannot compete with Hart & Courtois by having Shez or Ospina or at the start of the season compete with a Matic or Toure by having Arteta. Lets spend on players that we all know we need, we now have the money to do so, there are simply no excuses left for Wenger now.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I've been thinking this through the past week and my two cents is that we have progressed; it's not as much as I would have liked but we certainly are closer to winning the league than this point last year.

I don't think pointing out the reduction in points has that much merit. For one, four points is barely anything over a course of a season, one fluke result in our favour last year versus a fluke result against us this year can easily change that. Second, no two leagues seasons are ever the same. Teams are different, managers are different, the league can be a lot more or less competitive than before.

You need a more nuanced approach really to analyse it.

When you look at our squad now, it's noticeably better and deeper then it has been in any of the past 10 years with the likes of Sanchez, Ozil, Santi, Ramsey etc etc all players who would start for any of our top four rivals. Additionally, Wenger's shown a lot more flexibility and tactical nous in handling matches something I think everyone has been calling out for ages. And lastly, our results in the big games and games that matter have been a lot more acceptable than they were last year. These are all three massive improvements. There's probably no better direct comparison for this difference than comparing FA cup finals; last year's was a rollercoaster where we nearly fucked up spectacularly whereas this year, it was very comfortable mainly as result of us having better players who could produce a moment of magic (Alexis' goal) and Wenger setting out a plan to nullify the opponents whilst also facilitating our natural game.

One of the best things about the FA cup win was not the win itself but the post match interviews from the players after. All of them to a man came out with the same message about "whilst the FA being good, it was the league next year that they wanted to go for". I think it's something they've collectively discussed recently, probably in a post season debrief where they've looked in the failings of this season. I know the strong WOB's will come out will mock me for it (as it's something that's trotted out often), but honestly, I think next year it the year we put it all together and do the league. I think the players are really motivated for it and I think the manager is as well.

[Globalgunner]

There is nothing the players desire can achieve next year w/o us getting substantially better players in the key positions already identified by many on here. This time next year you will be telling us about the year 2016/17 being the year it all comes together. If Arteta starts any games next year at DM, I will switch off the TV.

[Kano]

Sanchez is the calibre of player we need more of, not just in terms of skill but his attitude toward winning. Hearing him call our season an underachievement says it all about where we are now. We will not recruit or keep players like him if we don't step up next season. Another underwhelming league campaign and he'll be off, without a doubt. He's just seen his old Barca mates tearing it up and he knows 3rd and a cup isn't good enough. If we wanna live in a 60,000 seater stadium, rip off the fans and spend big on star players then domestic cups and avoiding pre-qualifying for the CL isn't enough anymore. The expectation levels have been set and the players that will get you to the very top of the game won't waste their time celebrating an FA Cup all summer.

[Power n Glory]

I doubt he's the only one in the team feeling a little disappointed but I can't say the same for the manager. The FA Cup isn't a big enough trophy to keep these players satisfied and we'll need to raise our game for next season.