Next season has to be Wenger's last chance

The final whistle blew on the Barclays Premier League last Sunday. There were scenes of celebration at St James’ Park: fans singing, players embracing and the manager drawing a huge sigh of relief. This wasn’t a team that had just avoided relegation, nor a team that had won the league. This was Arsenal, who had just secured fourth position in the table.

I’m not suggesting Champions League qualification isn’t an achievement. Over a 38 game season, it requires a lot of hard work and quality to reach that particular goal. However, it’s been the same story for the past eight years. No trophies, no realistic title challenge and no lasting impression made in Europe. Star players leaving year after year, chasing and finding success. Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have all become title winners since leaving the Gunners. Sooner or later, something has to give.

For the first time in recent history, Arsenal aren’t ending the season with question marks over their best players leaving. The cynics among us will argue it’s because there is no world class talent left at the Emirates. Nevertheless, this is a squad which will only get stronger in the summer transfer window. Theo Walcott committed his future to the club in January, and young players like Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are improving all the time. There are positions that require attention, a quality goalkeeper will shore up a leaky defence no end, but this is probably the most optimistic summer Arsenal fans have had in a long time.

The Premier League will have a very different look to it come August. The three teams that finished above Arsenal are starting the next campaign with new managers at the helm. Naturally, it will take time for them to shape their squads to their liking. Players will have to get used to new training regimes and tactics. Arsene Wenger has to take advantage of this. A solid start to the season will send a statement to their rivals. As the new bosses are tinkering with their playing staff, trying to find their best starting XI, Wenger’s knowledge of his side should put them in a stronger position.

Perhaps it’s not just having the quality on the pitch that will determine the Gunner’s season. No player at the club has won silverware in an Arsenal shirt. Mentally, there may be a lack of belief that they can really challenge for the league. Experienced signings with that winning mentality could rub off on the rest of the squad. With no major departures expected, and significant managerial changes at their rivals, Arsenal will be inevitably overlooked this summer. This could be just what they need to kick-start their fading ambition to be the best in the land. By quietly bringing in some top class talent, Arsenal can assert themselves in the title race. Scrapping into the Champions League again would represent no progress whatsoever, something that could spell the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign.

How can Arsenal go from also-rans to genuine title contenders? Where do they need to strengthen? Is Wenger the man to lead them to glory? Have your say in the comments section below: