Arsenal have ended up third this season, a position that most fans would have snapped up with both hands after a disastrous first few games. The season had started shrouded in uncertainty for the Gunners as both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri were angling for moves away from the Emirates and finally got their way in late August. With Gervinho the only arrival of note, the squad clearly needed reinforcement and, after a historic 8-2 debacle at Old Trafford on 28 August, Arsene Wenger finally brought in Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun and Andre Santos on deadline day. Results gradually improved as new players settled in over October and November and the Gunners were back within sight of the top four by Christmas, with a good run six consecutive wins, including a 5-3 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. By then, they had also made good ground in the Champions League, coming out on top of a group including Marseille, Dortmund and Olympiakos. However, injury problems came back to haunt them with Jack Wilshere ruled out for the season with an ankle injury. Abou Diaby struggled as well with a litany of recurring problems while new signing Andre Santos also went down with a long term injury around the turn of the year. Wenger fielded Per Mertesacker in central defence alongside Thomas Vermalen but had to improvise later on when the German was ruled out for the season while all his full backs were injured at the same time for long spells. January was a month best forgotten with three defeats on the trot, including a home defeat to Manchester United but the Gunners soon embarked on a fabulous run of seven straight wins, most of which coming from behind, underpinned by Robin Van Persie's unrivalled predatory instinct. The Dutchman finally had an injury-free season at Arsenal and showed his worth with 37 goals and 15 assists in all competitions and the PFA Player of the Year Award to boot. This wasn't enough to take Arsenal back to the late stages of the Champions League. The Londoners simply didn't turn up at San Siro in their last 16 first leg game and they could make up the 4-0 deficit against AC Milan, in spite of a gallant fightback at the Emirates. Still their strong run in the second part of the season was enough to take them to third and, in spite of a late dip, they were able to hold off the challenges of Spurs and Newcastle to secure Champions League football next season. The main question is whether they will hang on to Robin Van Persie, whose contract is running out. The Dutchman will need some assurances to commit his long term future to the Gunners' cause. The squad looks in better shape than in seasons gone by with Theo Walcott improving, Rosicky back towards his best after a couple of seasons in limbo and, allowing for injuries, quality in all lines. In this perspective, the arrival of Lukasz Podolski next season could be important but more will be be needed to take Arsenal back to where they belong.
