Arsenal captain William Gallas still believes his side would have been Barclays Premier League champions this season if luck had not deserted them over the final run-in.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger conceded the end of his team's title challenge on Sunday following defeat at leaders Manchester United which left them nine points off the pace with only four games to play.
A 4-0 thrashing in the FA Cup away to United with a makeshift side on February 16 was the first sign of difficulties to come, and the loss of two points and striker Eduardo at Birmingham at St Andrews left another psychological scar on the squad.
Wenger also points to the loss of Robin van Persie, Tomas Rosicky and most recently key right-back Bacary Sagna to injury as more evidence of how his young squad have been "swimming against the stream".
Crucial decisions - such as penalties which were given one way yet not the other over the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Liverpool - have also not fallen for Arsenal as a campaign which promised so much quickly unravelled.
Gallas is in no doubt that had such marginal calls gone in favour of his side, then the Gunners would have plenty of reasons to celebrate come May.
"You can play well, but if the luck is not there, then you will win nothing," Gallas told Arsenal TV Online.
"The luck went from us a few months ago. People have to understand that.
"We drew too many games at home, and away we lost important points."
The Arsenal captain admitted there would now be some soul-searching for answers.
Gallas continued: "For a few months it has been difficult for us to react to conceding a goal, we have been going down very quick.
"When the season started we were not like this and I don't know why we have been in trouble now after scoring a goal. We have to work on that for next season."
French defender Gallas, however, insists some positives can be salvaged from a campaign which promised so much, but ended in such disappointing fashion.
"What is very positive from last season is we should finish third in the Premier League, we went to the quarter-final of the Champions League, so we have improved," he insisted.
"However we cannot accept just that because when the season started we wanted to win everything, but then slowly, slowly we started to lose.
"Now at the end, we do not get anything. That is a great shame for the club.
"We have to speak together and to know what was wrong.
"We are not far away, but we will have to see what we can do next season.
"I hope we can get something. I am a competitor and want to win everything. You remember only the people who win trophies.
"For the fans and the club, it is important to get some cups.
"Now we just have to be professional and finish this season well."
The inquest may have already begun into just why Arsenal failed to deliver again this season and what must be done to close the gap on big-spending United and Chelsea next year, but Wenger maintains his squad does not need major surgery.
The Gunners boss insists his main priority is to keep the current group together, and adding only "one experienced player" - if they can find him at the right price.
However, the futures of veterans Jens Lehmann and Gilberto - both part of the 2003-04 'Invincibles' squad - look likely to be elsewhere, while a new deal has yet to be agreed with out-of-contract midfielder Mathieu Flamini as Juventus wait in the wings.
"The main target is to keep the team together because we are absolutely amazing," insisted Wenger.
"I feel the difference between being champion and winning the Champions League is very close.
"I am very proud of my team and I believe we have to continue next season what we are doing.
"We will continue to play the way we do but better. The trophies will come."
However, the Arsenal manager cannot help but reflect again on what might have been.
"Back in the last two months, even with decisions again on Sunday, we are not very happy and very unlucky," Wenger said.
"You got a clear message since March. We got it, we are not stupid in the dressing room. We got it very well.
"For the rest, everyone is free now to think what they want."
Your Comments
odroma
"mcgrathpat, you seem like a very intelligent and engaging guy. Images of a bog standard culchie come to mind, you seem more suited to a pool or celtic mould. Just a quick question, how do you know the BACK ROOM STAFF (why uppercase?) played their hearts and souls out? Know them well do you?"
PhillyB
"why the uncle buck is gallas captain? He's admitted he socialises more with the Chelsea lads than the Arsenal posse, he cried after one slip up when the team were still top of the league, plus...erm, he has a ridiculous haircut. Should be Fabregas I reckon."
bully
"Dear supporters, I am now willing to take the grief, and say 'Sorry. I have been a tit all season, and for the previous 4 years' I have endlessly dangled a carrot out on a stick with 'next year' written on it, and have done it repeatedly since dismantling the 'Invincibles' the very following season! I have been arrogant and stubborn and stuck to an inadequate youth policy to massage my own ego. I made some horrible substitutions, and I have allowed Senderos' name onto the team sheet far too often I have continually let Theo collect piles on the bench, even though we have issues with hitting barn doors up front I have let Cesc fall to pieces even though I rotate the rest of the clueless f*ckers around him. I made Gallas captain and allowed him to make extremely poor leadership decisions I have NOT SPENT ANY MONEY ... AGAIN, and made millions of Arsenal fans turn up to work every Monday with their heads down and no comebacks when ripped to peices I have taken a team full of potential and not backed them up with any experience or quality and let them get on with it, and then turned a blind eye when things go wrong I let Henry leave and never properly replaced him I have built a squad based on plugging gaps in the starting 11 and not planned for injuries/suspensions I consistently play Eboue on the wing, even though the bloke is a hate figure I have let Lehmann sit around whining all year and not given him a flat 'lump it or do one'decision to make I have refused to admit that I inherited a great defense, and never kept up that standard once they all retired I have dismantled all elements of an English backbone to the club and assembled a group of passionless, unloyal, fancy-dan foreigners who look for the exit door to Spain or Italy at the first opportunity I cannot coach defending for sh*t I will stop saying 'next year, next year, next year ...' Yours Arsene Wenger "
tomaswright
"If I was Wenger my shopping list would be: A top-class keeper, a new centre-half, a winger (as in someone who is a natural wide player, not a central midfielder shoved out on the wing) and a striker. Maybe get rid of Eboue and bring in someone to replace him, because lets face it, not only is he hated by all, he also can't shoot to save his life, and he needs to be able to provide goals, maybe he should just become back up to Sagna at right back, because he was decent there. Senderos isn't good enough. Bring on next season!"
liamgooner
"Also Carlos Vela is ready to take prem by storm next season"
liamgooner
"We need a Winger, Striker and Defender. Not average or good players but world class...Villa, Ribery, Terry. Them sort. Not Bendtner, Eboue, Senderos. that is the difference between Winning the lot and coming close for 4 years in a row."
Gray
"I don't think Arse need to spend really big. Toure and Gallas was excellent earlier in the season but clearly their confidence have taken a knock in recent weeks. I am sure they will be back. They have also missed Sagna but he will be back too. I reckon Arse need about 3 players at most. I think a top Goalkeeper should be their prority, perhaps a striker and a powerful midfielder. Apart from that they have plenty coming through the ranks who can back up the 1st team squad. Next season they will all be a year older. They will get Rosicky and Eduardo(Maybe) back and a if luck serves them a full season from RVP. So cheer up Gooners!!!! "
rats
"Arsenal need more depth in their squad and less hot heads, gallas, eboue, lehmann- none of these guys have the right temperment,they all need a slap in the mouth."
RTS1999
"Can we stop the spin on feeling sorry for them. The article above highlights a 4-0 thrashing at Man Utd with a makeshift team. It was first choice bar 1 or 2 players, if anything Man Utd played a weakened team (Fletcher, No Ronaldo). Stop feeling f*cking sorry for them and face facts, they're not good enough , they bottle it time and again when the prssure is on, poor management of the squad has exausted their better players and their arrogance and petulance which is a long standing issue has come back to bite them on the backside yet again. I am delighted. Maybe, just maybe they might learn some humility."
gbroger
"we need a top keeper, a top central defender to oust sendoros and a bit of muscle in the middle. Injuries have cost us but thats football. Is Gallas up to the task ahead?????????"
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