A strong end to the season saw Arsenal claim a second successive FA Cup and comfortably claim a third placed finish in the Premier League. But yet again, the Gunners fell a long way short of a legitimate title challenge.
Arsene Wenger's financial restrictions have loosened in recent season with the signings of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, but what do Arsenal need to challenge for a first Premier League title since 'The Invincibles' of 03/04?
Goalkeeper
First and foremost, as always Arsenal need a new goalkeeper, Arsenal have finally signed a top quality goalkeeper in Petr Cech, not since Jens Lehmann have Arsenal had a good goalkeeper, and not since David Seaman have they had a great one.
Cech has joined the Gunners from London rivals Chelsea for a reported bargain fee of £10m. David Ospina is expected to move on, while Wojciech Szczesny is a capable deputy.
Who they needed:
Petr Cech
Who they got:
Petr Cech
Defence
Arsenal improve defensively last season. Although Per Mertesacker is prone to a howler and Abou Diaby most likely limped out of club quicker than the German can run, he is solid as long as Laurent Koscielny is alongside him. We can also expect to see more of £12m man Gabriel next season.
Mathieu Debuchy should overcome the injury problems of last season, if not Hector Bellerin is continually improving on the right. However an area for concern is left back.
Although Nacho Monreal has improved, not many would claim him to be up to Arsenal standards, many would call him a liability. Yet he has become first choice ahead of Kieren Gibbs, who hasn't improved, he's just stayed the same.
Who they need:
Southampton's Ryan Bertrand would be an improvement, as would Chelsea second choice Filipe Luís. Perhaps even take a chance on Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao, who's been definitely going to Manchester United less this summer.
Who they'll get:
No one, they'll keep the two average ones they have.
Midfield
It's hard to believe that despite all of the options Arsene Wenger has at his disposal, he still hasn't signed a quality holding midfield to allow his creative players express themselves.
Arsenal need at least another Gilberto Silva, an unsung hero to add steel and do the job that Wilshere can't (except for England it seems). Wenger has given Francis Coquelin the role, and while he's done well, he's still the glaring weak link of a strong midfield.
Who they need:
Arturo Vidal could join Chile teammate Sanchez at The Emirates, but who Juventus are refusing to sell. Daniel De Rossi would also be a quality addition. Morgan Schneiderlin will do the job. The real question is why didn't Arsene Wenger sign Sami Khedira?
Who they'll get:
Arsene Wenger could make a big money move for Vidal, but beating rivals to Schneiderlin is more likely if Wenger wants him. They'll probably just release Mathieu Flamini, before signing him again.
Attack
Olivier Giroud is good but not world class. You can't win the Premier League without a world class striker. If Arsene Wenger refuses to spend huge money he can still improve the Gunners forward options.
Arsenal won't put up a lasting challenge next season if Giroud, Danny Welbeck and God forbid Yaya Sanogo are solely responsible for leading the line.
Who they need:
Karim Benzema, which would be possible depending on who Real Madrid sign. Edison Cavani would have a similar effect. An improvement would be Gonzalo Higuain or Wolfburg goal-machine Bas Dost.
Edin Džeko and Mario Mandzukic are arguably too similar to Olivier Giroud. Or optimistically take a chance and give Zlatan a season in the Premier League.
Who they'll get:
Another young striker with potential that's played in Ligue 1, hope that he's the next Thierry Henry, and then subsequently loan him to Crystal Palace with a view to a permanent deal.
