The league campaign is over and there is much to reflect upon. Arsenal didn't have a great start and many doubted that Arsenal would make it into the Champions League places again. A late-ish rally of the troops saw Arsenal pick up more points than any other team from February 1st onwards and take 26 points from 30 in our final 10 games.

The greater than the year before's greatest ever Tottenham team for 50+ years crowed their way to a close finish behind the worse than the year before's worst ever Arsenal team in 20 years having been 7 points clear going into the final third of the season. There is lots to talk about and the Goonersphere Home Team have got together to do a Q&A on the season in a quick-fire season review.

Contributing today are William Benn (WB), Jeorge Bird (JB), Jeremy Docteur (JD), Brian Fettner (BF), Christopher Flanagan (CF), Gandalf The Red (GTR), Willem Gonggrijp (WG), Robert Moore (RM), Martijn Stolze (MS) and Ross Ack (RA).

Who is your player of the season?

WB - It's got to be the little Spanish magician - the only man for whom 'he's got two left feet' is a ridiculous compliment. He came, he smiled, he scored, he smiled, he smiled, he smiled, we finished 4h. He laughed.
JB - Laurent Koscielny has been impressive in recent weeks, but in terms of the overall campaign Santi Cazorla should take the accolade for a superb first season at the club.
JD - Cazorla. He definitely brought along with him the touch of creativity Arsenal lacked last year - especially considering it is his first season of English football. He was most of the time at ease in a team where "reconstruction" was the main concern despite having a couple of insufficient performances especially against top teams.
BF - For me it has to be Santi Cazorla. He was involved in everything good we did and his two footed control is sublime. Koscielny a VERY close 2nd though.
CF - In terms of quality alone, there really can't be any answer other than Santi Cazorla. Perhaps as importantly, he might serve as a gentle reminder to Arsène of the impact purchasing seasoned internationals can make.
GTR - Treebeard. His Entish positioning and wisdom beyond his branches brought a kind of stability to our forces that has been fleeting in campaigns past. He certainly adheres to the Entish proverb "don't be hasty," but our BFE (Big Friendly Ent) has rooted himself in our hearts.
WG - Per Mertesacker. Regardless of 'keeper, partner or fullback next to him, Per has been fantastic.
RM - Santi Cazorla added tenacity within the midfield and brought Arsenal back to their roots - possession based play along with his knack for goal. Look for the Spaniard to add to his goal tally next season as he and Mikel Arteta look to continue their fine partnership.
MS - My player of the season can only be Santi Cazorla. But even Cazorla was not consistently brilliant. Ramsey, Koscielny, Wilshere and Walcott all had periods of being great, and Per and Gibbs were consistently good. If I was to go with my gut I want to say Ramsey for how he fought to prove doubters wrong but people choosing Ramsey have been ridiculed so I will say Cazorla.
RA - Santi is the obvious choice and who I'm going to go with, however Ramsey took a lot of stick (still does) and still works his butt off for 90 minutes, he cut out the silly mistakes and improved greatly.

What do you consider to be Arsenal's game of the season?
WB - Few contenders for this but there's still no substitute for battering your local rival convincingly. Some people might think that caring so much about a win over Spurs shows a 'small club mentality' but those people support Spurs and... oh wait, Walcott just scored the 5th. Again.
JB - Tottenham at home. Fantastic atmosphere and a fantastic result.
JD - It would have to be the game on the road at Bayern Munich. From that day Arsenal hasn't lost a single game and even though we suffered and conceded a couple of chances, we showed great composure, faith and strengths of all sorts. I loved the reaction the players had that day.
BF - Bayern Munich away. Not even close. The team held a juggernaut scoreless at their place where they hadn't lost since there was still a wall in Germany. The belief they took from that was the catalyst for the rest of the season.
CF - Bayern away. Perhaps it wouldn't have been the same game if we went into it on a more even footing, but who cares? We put in an incredible performance, beat the best side in Europe on their home turf, and it turned our season around.
GTR - The capture of Bayern-dur, no doubt. The Baron Hoeness was gathering all evil things to his keep, which we stormed in a glorious charge and took as our own.
WG - Reading 5 – 7 Arsenal. It was just so Arsenal. 'For fuck's sake Arsenal' moments followed by a thoroughly fantastic denouement.
RM - Although it may not have been the prettiest of matches the 7-5 FA Cup win over Reading FC was one for the ages. As a struggling Reading side pushed Arsenal to the brink and into added extra time, it was Theo Walcott who stole the show to send the Gunners through into the next round.
MS - The best game of the season was without any shadow of doubt the away victory over Bayern. Apart from the obvious (best team in the world, away), we were the first in a year to keep a clean sheet at their stadium, and the first in a long time to score two goals there. Not only that but it kick-started our revival. Dead rubber, ey? (Honourable mentions to beating Spurs and the crazy game vs Reading)
RA - Reading in the COC, real up and down game with the obligatory mistakes from Arsenal, then the elation of clawing back from that feeling.

What moment in Arsenal's season sticks out to you most?
WB - Has to be the final whistle on the final day doesn't it? Some people might think that caring so much about beating Spurs shows a 'small club mentality' but those people support Spurs and... oh wait, we just finished above you. Again.
JB - The Tottenham fans celebrating Newcastle's "goal" was brilliant.
JD - That is a tough one. I'd go for the minute that came after the 3rd goal against Wigan. The instant I knew for sure we'd be in Champions League again next year. It was a great sensation, equivalent to a "mini trophy "especially after half of the medias and pundits had said we only had few chances to qualify for CL football.
BF - The loss to Blackburn. The fanbase went completely weapons free negative after that. It was hard to even think about Arsenal without crying.
CF - Walcott, or in my mind if not the record books, Jenkinson's goal against Reading in the 95th minute of the Coca-Cola cup tie against Reading. Turns out it feels much nicer to be on the right end of a comeback from four goals down.
GTR - Master Eoshere's strike in the Scouring of the Swans stands tall for me, as his passion for defending Lorien was on full display.
WG - Tottenham celebrating an imaginary Newcastle United equalizer. Just hilarious.
RM - Was there any real doubt? Arsenal's narrow victory over Newcastle United (1-0) on the final Sunday of the season to clinch Champions League play for next season certainly is atop the list. Coupled with being the most important match of the season, Wenger's side capitalized when it mattered most.
MS - My favourite moment of the season will make you all laugh but it was the second goal vs Swansea. Ramsey assisted Gervinho to score. Both players have been unfairly maligned in my view and they combined to score a crucial second goal on the counter in one of the first matches of our great run-in. That moment was great.
RA - Probably Theos goal to make it 4-4 in the Reading game, I was so downbeat after conceding so many it was a completely unexpected turn around.

What gets your vote for goal of the season?
WB - No contenders at all here. As soon as Giroud aroused the ball, tenderly, over the Montpellier defence I knew Poldi was going to completely bastard it into the net. Never has something so brutal made me tingle so uncontrollably in my man-place.
JB - I particularly liked Podolski's strike at home to Montpellier.
JD - There were a couple of good ones. I recall Cazorla's sensational strike vs WH, or Podolski's freekick vs Southampton. Chamberlain scored a stunner against Coventry and Podolski too when Montpellier came to the Emirates. I'll go for Cazorla's one.
BF - Theo's against Newcastle at The Emirates where he went through 4 defenders, getting fouled in the box and still getting up and lobbing one over Krul. Absolute beauty!
CF - Probably Giroud's 45 yard lob against every team in his mind. If I had to pick a non-imaginary goal, then Podolski's howitzer against West Ham. Or Podolski's howitzer against Montpellier. Or Podolski's howitzer against Liverpool. Or...well, you get the point. I like it when Poldi kicks the ball really hard.
GTR - The Hammerfoot of Poldomir did loose many an arrow on opposing armies, but the men of Montpellier felt this most keenly as a particularly thunderous volley came their way.
WG - Santi Cazorla's behind the leg goal against West Ham. It was just a glorious Wengerball goal: Giroud with the flick, Podolski with the pass and Santi with the artistic finish.
RM - Simply because of its implications, Laurent Koscielny's finish on the final day of the Premier League season. The defender's goal may not have been a wonder-strike, but a goal is a goal.
MS - Two contenders for that, both very similar in style and execution. Both of them were assisted by Olivier Giroud and finished by respectively Podolski and Gibbs. The delightful (dare I say it, Dennisesque) delivery from Giroud was brilliant, and the finish oh so stunning. Not to mention both were quite important within their respective matches. Absolutely my favourite.
RA - Podolskis fireball, can't recall seeing the flames on the ball but I'm sure they were there. Should also mention Podolski's header from Wilshere's cross in the Newcastle 7-3 just because Wilshere played the most effortless ball in and I'm happy when he gets involved in scoring.

Who do you rate as Arsenal's most improved player?
WB - Ramsey's road to recovery has been well documented but I'm going to opt for the fourth Bee Gee, Kieran Gibb. The volume of his immenseness in the first half of the season was equal to the volume of tears I cried when he got injured. I would draw you a scientific formula to represent that but I can't be bothered
JB - Koscielny, without a doubt. Was a good player before but made too many rash errors. Now, he seems to have eradicated those from his game.
JD - That has to be Aaron Ramsey's moment. What a season he has had. What a change from last year. He played a major part in the last 3/4 months. Wenger set him alongside Arteta and that's really where he is the best unlike the #10 position he played last year.
BF - There were quite a few who kicked on by leaps and bounds this season due to necessity but I think Per's reading of the game and positional genius are part of what put us back on track.
CF - I'm slightly reticent to say Aaron Ramsey here, as it gives credence to the idea he was somehow not very good before. Our second-half-of-the-season improvement has been down to a nascent defensive obduracy and a willingness to work for one another. Ramsey is the very embodiment of that and I don't think we'd be in the Champions League without him.
GTR - Ramsagast the Red. He has discovered a shortcut to the right mushrooms.
WG - Definitely Aaron Ramsey. I'm so proud of him.
RM - Aaron Ramsey. The youngster's passing completion rate neared the 90% mark for the entire season. At only 22, the work rate of Ramsey is sure to be utilized in the coming seasons.
MS - Straight fight between Gibbs and Ramsey. Whereas we all knew that Ramsey had it in him (lol) from his form prior to his injury, Gibbs has always been an unknown quantity. Bags of potential, but too many injuries and a seeming need to adapt to his position. By now however he is one of the finest LBs in the country and Ramsey can be our box to box midfielder for a decade. Not bad.
RA - Touched on this earlier, Ramsey for me, plus I wanted him to do succeed to annoy Piers Morgan and he's done just that.

Flop of the season?
WB - Captain in all but everyone's opinion, Vermaelen. Needs to seriously step up, although on this season's performances he'll probably step up late and leave the opposition striker onside. A shame.
JB - Andrey Arshavin's continued decline is quite saddening to watch.
JD - I'm afraid that I'll go for Vermaelen. I love the man, I love the footballer but he just wasn't good enough. He had a couple of decent games though. To me, Gibbs' shortcomings regarding the defensive efforts handicapped the Belgian and he wasn't compatible with Per in spite of people's comments. That will explain a bit of it but not the entire issue.
BF - I hate to say it but our captain TV5 had a year I'm sure he would love to have erased from his memory. I think the pressure of the armband really weighed to heavy on him.
CF - Thomas Vermaelen. Whereas the captaincy propelled previous, unmentionable captains to greater heights, Vermaelen - never the most gifted defender - seems to have buckled under the weight. If someone suggested we'd lose another captain this summer, I don't think anyone would be too devastated, and that's a sad indictment.
GTR - Master Andrey, unfortunately. He has succumbed to his love for second breakfast.
WG - I'm not going to call one of our own the flop of the season, so... Tottenham?
RM - Abou Diaby. Diaby once again was counted on to hold the defensive midfield position, but once again struggled through injury. The injury prone midfield was sorely missed, which may cause Wenger to shop for a replacement during the summer transfer window.
MS - Mainly my flop of the season is Andre Santos, because I love the fella and his play at times last season excited me for this season. Sadly, not to be. My other flop of the season is Lukas Podolski, who has looked part of the player I expected (ie a good finisher and a great guy) but has looked slow, ponderous and predictable at times too. Hope he improves after a summer of rest though.
RA - Diaby unfortunately, when he has played he's been relatively good and it's not his fault he's played, however the fact is he has been constantly unavailable.

What mark would you give to the manager?
WB - Walcott/10 - not always as consistent as we needed but stepped up just when it really counted. Deserves a fair amount of criticism for some things but our run in was nothing short of exemplary.
JB - 6/10 - Deserves credit for inspiring the fight to finish fourth, but exits in cup competitions were horribly familiar.
JD - 7/10 - Some tactical naivety at times but is a great guide for the players. Reacted well concerning Vermaelen and Szczesny but often struggles to make efficient subs at the proper moment.
BF - 9/10
CF - 5/10 for league performance. We finished 4th and that's par for us. Ok, nothing special. 1/10 for the cups. Not good enough, and frankly, not acceptable.
GTR - With arguably the weakest army in his entire reign, Lord Wengermir overcame many fell deeds and filthy brigands to reach Mount Fourthplace. Yet I cannot help but sense that we may have avoided a number of defeats by breaking the seals on our coffers sooner. I know not whether this is the work of Saruman the Silent or Wengermir, but I will share these burdens and mark our leader "A-".
WG - a 7.5/10. He made the right decisions regarding Vermaelen en Szczesny; he's showing that ruthlessness again.
RM - On a grade scale, B. Solid effort at times and the drive is there from Arsène Wenger; however, at times the youth in the squad overshadowed their true potential. After a solid win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League (despite begin eliminated from the competition) immediately sparked life back into the North London squad - which I would give full credit to the manager.
MS - At least a 7.5. If we ignore the summer shenanigans (which I think we can) as wholly his fault then his ability to better the Invincibles in the run in (we got more points from our last 16 matches than they did) is surely a sign of a manager still very much on top of his game. Signing Monreal, Cazorla and others were good moves too. Dropping Vermaelen and Szczesny especially were decisive moves.
RA - 7 or 8, it's clearly been an unimpressive season, which is in part down to him, solid signings, perhaps not quite enough and turned it around when we needed too.

Quote of the season
WB - Walcott: "I'd like to say it's a shame [that Spurs missed out on fourth place] but it's not really."
JB - Szczesny: "Tottenham do not have enough quality"
BF - I'm going to give this one to a non Arsenal person. AVB saying "We are on an upward spiral in terms of confidence and they are in a negative spiral in terms of results," after their 2-1 win at their place. Their banner saying a giant has awoken was exactly what happened except it was the RED giant.
CF - "The difference this year is that we are on an upward spiral in terms of confidence whereas they are in a negative spiral and once you get into that negative spiral it's difficult to get out of it" Andre Villas-Boas, immediately before Arsenal go on a run of results that sees us pick up 26 points out of a possible 30.
GTR - "Does it like hobbitses? Or just hobbitses with trophies?" -Gollum Yao Kouassi
WG - "There is no priority other than being at the top level in Football. When you look back, you'll see than Arsenal has been consistently [for Sixteen years] at the top level of European Football. You will find we have been consistently in the top three of four in England, some years we won [the League] and some years we didn't win. Maybe one day people will realise that it's not so easy to stay at the top, as well as facing financial compulsories that you face at that level." – Arsène Wenger
RM - Wenger told The Mirror at the end of the season, "I've had many groups in my life and this is one who has been absolutely outstanding on that front. They've shown a combination of quality but attitude as well."
MS - Tim Payton: 'Those who go home & away are voice on (sic) future of Arsenal. Not 606 or twitter muppets'.
RA - Alan Sugar "1-1 at Newcastle"

Summarise the season in a few lines.
BF - We maintained our place in the top 4, just. We saw some determined gritty, play in the last 3rd of the season. We saw some really awful results and some stirring comebacks but, ultimately we finished a place lower and despite a better point total I think we barely held on. We did the minimum required but we needed to cross the line there. I think this season will put a period on this era of saving to pay off debt. Next year will begin a new era of spending to strengthen not to replace. Onward and upward.
GTR - All that is gold does not glitter, Not all who wander are lost.
WG - After a weak and disappointing adaptation period, Arsenal have shown incredible consistency in recent months. Funnily, Arsenal's performances in the second half of the season have been very strong, as have their second half performances.
RM - A roller-coaster of a season filled with constant connections to the rumor mill - but not nearly enough depth within the squad. Although a fourth placed finish was once again retained, Arsenal must fill gaps within their squad immediately.
MS - Basically we showed that ability to be a title challenging side but showed it far too late. Our form against the bottom sides was pretty great but we bottle things in big matches. What we lack is that stardust that people like Wilshere and Cazorla bring in spades. Most of the time we were very much a decent, no nonsense team, better than most but not quite good enough. We saw the emergence of a very nice, stable core, but we need to build on it.
RA - "Almost" which I feel has epitomised Arsenal for a while now, not quite good enough but so damn close. I think everyone expected more and will be expecting more next season.

Predictions

What league position do you think Arsenal can achieve next year with this squad if no "significant" improvements are made?
WB - Honestly can't even countenance such a theory, but if I had to predict I'd say 4th again.
JB - I would say fourth again, although it's difficult to predict with the three teams above us changing their managers.
JD - 3rd. We have good basis but in my opinion at least two teams are better than us.
BF - 5th. The league is becoming more competitive and if you aren't improving you're falling.
CF - Probably another scrap for fourth, although if we can carry some form over into next year, at least it needn't be quite so close run.
GTR - With no improvements in the summer, I would sense another march on Mount Fourthplace.
WG - Second or third. We are the only top-4 team who have stuck by their manager, and I think that consistency will show.
RM - I predict a 5th place finish next season.
MS - 4th. Can't see us going higher but can't see us going lower.
RA - 5th, looked likely this season at times and everyone else will improve, we'll be left being if we don't too.

If Arsenal make improvements in the squad what position is achievable?
WB - This is an incredibly tough answer to provide – which improvements and where? With a top-level striker, DM, CB and replacement for Sagna if he goes I have no trouble suggesting we can challenge. Anything less than that and I reckon we're off the pace. With Chelsea, United and City all changing manager there is no better time to capitalise, and if we make our mark early we can create a whole lot of unrest and uncertainty – even more than there already is – for our rivals. This would benefit us long term and could facilitate a period of consistent challenging. If you had to pin me down to a number I'd say 2nd.
JB - Potentially 2nd/3rd. Even with around 5/6 quality signings they would still need time to integrate before we could possibly challenge for the title.
JD - 1st? With the basis we had this year and a couple of new players I think we surely will be competitive for the title. Besides that, we have built decent team strength; all the boys want to work together and improve as much as possible.
BF - I think we'll be close but will just miss out on 1st. 2nd place due to our new signings first year in PL.
CF - Unfortunately, it depends on firstly, how the new managers of the sides above us settle in and secondly on how well they buy. Unfortunately, no matter how much money we can afford to spend, they can all afford to spend more if they really want to. But the turmoil at those clubs represents a massive opportunity for us; I'm sure that Arsène realises that.
GTR - With reinforcements from armies yonder, we may finally capture the lost Silmarils.
WG - It depends on how good they'll be of course, but I can see us winning the league next year.
RM - Arsenal will shop the transfer window to their truest potential and will bring in a few attacking options, yet not the one's journalists will all be reporting about. Once again, Arsenal could potentially have the pieces for a title-bearing season; however, with a lack of offensive stability, struggles will continue.
MS - 1st – see my recent article on Goonersphere for why.
RA - Honestly, 3rd, I'd love to be proved wrong but I think that's where we're heading if we add realistically.

Who do you think will be Arsenal's top scorer next season?
WB - A N Striker. He's mint.
JB - Hopefully a new striker.
JD - David Villa?
BF - Wow. That really all depends now doesn't it? I'd love to say Lewandowski but going only on what I know right now I'm going to say Theo.
CF - A new guy. If we don't add a very good centre forward, we won't be winning anything.
GTR - Theoden.
WG - As it stands: Theo Walcott. But if we'd get a genuine top striker, he'll be our top scorers with the chances we can create.
RM - Theo Walcott - The English forward must discover his consistent goal scoring for in the 2013/14 Premier League season in order to pressure the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea for the EPL crown.
MS - Sadly this question is a bit dependent on signings. If we sign Jovetic I can see him, Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud and Podolski all hitting double figures next season. If someone more of a goalscorer, it will be them. Not quite sure how to give a definite answer so I will say Thomas Eisfeld.
RA - Walcott from the current selection, I don't see how we will enter next season without a new goal scorer and in that case HOPEFULLY him.

Which player would you most like to see bought to Arsenal?
WB - My relative lack of global football knowledge gives me no preferences here, but one that makes other people go 'oooooh' and me go 'I knew it' would be nice. Other than that, Tiger Woods. He's a proper playaaaaa.
JB - Of those linked, I would prefer Higuain over Jovetic as he seems more of a clinical goalscorer.
JD - Tim Cahill but that is very unlikely isn't it? A top goalscorer, I like the idea of an experienced international fellow: David Villa would suit us I reckon.
BF - You can call me nostalgic but I would LOVE Cesc back. Can you imagine the buzz that would garner and not to mention he's the best playmaking midfielder most of us have ever seen. His vision on the pitch is second to none.
CF - Anyone who's really good at doing or making a goal (and if Monsieur Wenger wants to hand me that role, I've been polishing my Adidas World Cups in preparation).
GTR - If our coffers were opened at my command, I would see our gold spent on the elf-warrior Lothlewandowski.
WG - Robert Lewandowski, he's just brilliant. If he'd be more clinical, he could score 30+ league goals for us. I'd also like Viktor Fischer, before some other club gets him.
RM - Stevan Jovetic - The Fiorentina frontman is a consistent threat with both his pace and his towering presence in the box. As Olivier Giroud was unable to establish himself as a main target man this season, Jovetic certainly provides a real threat. Whether or not the youngster will find his way to the Emirates, is a story for another day.
MS - Realistically – Jovetic is superb, but a player like McCarthy might be even more needed in the long term. Unrealistically – Cavani is the best possible fit for our system, as CF. But that is just way out there.
RA - Messi, not Ronaldo, can't stand him... Realistically? Couldn't say, a big ol' DM, don't mind who

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