Arsenal improved drastically this season, but it is difficult to think that they won't come away from the campaign hugely disappointed in the coming weeks.
While securing Champions League football would have been the goal back in August, the way the season played out meant that winning a first Premier League title since 2004 was a distinct possibility. Unfortunately, they would falter quite a bit down the home stretch.
Manchester City's form over the last couple of months made finishing ahead of them a very difficult prospect for any team. In saying that, Arsenal have not helped themselves.
Their own form has been mixed in recent weeks, producing a number of disappointing results as they gave up their lead in the title race. They certainly seemed to wilt soon as the finish line came into sight and lacked the composure to produce when things went against them.
That is something that could be largely down to a lack of leaders in the dressing room.
Rio Ferdinand recalls key Roy Keane moment in title race
Rio Ferdinand is someone who knows all too well what sort of mentality is required in a title race, having been involved in quite a few of them during his time at Manchester United. However, this was something he had to learn about after arriving at Old Trafford.
Speaking on his podcast FIVE, he said that it was wise words from Roy Keane and Gary Neville during his first title tilt that changed his thinking. He also questioned whether Arsenal's lack of similar characters in the dressing room had an impact on their own struggles on this occasion.
The first time I won the league right, we went and drew at Bolton away and the team we were chasing was Arsenal and they won that weekend.
I was sitting in the changing room thinking we've thrown it away man. I was down, shoulders slumped in my chair sitting there thinking what are we going to do man?
And I went in the shower and I remember hearing Roy Keane and Gary Neville going "ah it's a great point. What a point that is. It's a hard place to come we'll go next week and go again, this is a good point".
And my whole vibe changed, my body language, everything changed.
Now was there anyone doing that (encouraging team-mates) in the changing room at Arsenal after the games against West Ham, Southampton, Liverpool?
Was there anyone in that dressing room who went to that young team, young players, all those inexperienced players that haven't been around titles.
Was there someone going - "Listen, woah woah woah 2-2 at Anfield is a big result for us. Where have they been the last three or four years, what have they done?"
This isn't an idiot team they have won big trophies in recent years. So listen, come out of their with your head held high and go again.
Looking at the Arsenal squad, you would get the impression that not too many of the players involved possess the mentality outlined by Ferdinand above.
Had they had a Roy Keane in the dressing room, the title race might have turned out differently.
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