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Champions League football — and a bumper European pay packet worth at least £25million — after comfortably beating Newcastle 1-0 courtesy of a volley from Laurent Koscielny.
A 1-0 victory at Newcastle on Sunday saw them edge north London rivals Tottenham out of fourth place, though Gareth Bale’s late winner for Spurs against Sunderland ensured a nervy end at St James’ Park for Wenger’s side.
But they hung on and the Frenchman is intent on doing better next season.
Wenger, who has been repeatedly criticised for his spending policy, said: “The last three months is a springboard for next season. We have to transfer that belief into the start of next season, we need stability and to strengthen. Is it spending a lot on one player or buying many players?
“We want additions but we want to keep the structure and spirit and quality of the team. But let’s not forget there are many clubs with big money and maybe not enough talent to strengthen all the teams. But we will go out in a proactive way.”
Wenger’s side won eight out of 10 English Premier League games after beating Bayern Munich away in March.
They had earlier come under fire following cup defeats against Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers, but as they celebrated on Sunday in front of more than 3 000 travelling fans after Laurent Koscielny’s fine 52nd-minute winner, Wenger said: “I am proud of the character and spirit after all we had to deal with during the season. These players are special. They have shown in the last two months that they have been absolutely exceptional.
“I have had many, many groups in my life and this is one of the best. Their attitude is great, the way they behave and focus in training every day, they have outstanding quality and an attitude I really admire in the modern game. We have faced many storms and that is why I always felt we would come right.
“We want to win silverware but we have shown the consistency to get in the Champions League. We needed to be resilient because we played against very strong Tottenham and Everton sides and we needed to be special to beat them.
“It means we can play with the top teams in Europe and it is easier to bring in players when you are in the Champions League.”
“We have faced many storms and had some big lows against Bradford, Blackburn and at home to Bayern Munich,” said Wenger.
“They lacked belief because we couldn’t win the big games, but Bayern away changed our season.”
That was a reference to Arsenal defeating Bayern 2-0 in their Champions League last-16 tie in Germany although they went out on away goals.
“They continued to believe when seven points behind Tottenham in mid-March. We had no room for error, but I couldn’t see one sign of them giving in. They showed an exceptional mental attitude and have been rewarded,” added Wenger.
“I am proud of the spirit and character of the team. They are special players and that is what I have told them many times.
“They have shown me in the last two months that they are exceptional. They have finished with 73 points, which is three more than last season.
“They are one of the best groups I have had in my life.”
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted to being a “bit disappointed”, but conceded that “in the end, Arsenal did their job”.
He added: “The difference between teams is very small and we will make that a lesson to take into the future. It was probably the game against Everton away that cost us. Arsenal went on an absolutely amazing run. They had stability in the final part of the season to finish very strongly, which is important.
“I don’t think there is a mental block on Spurs getting into the top four. We had a great competitive side, were very ambitious, with great character. We had a strong December and January and going into next year we don’t need a lot to make us even better.
“Bearing in mind the experience that other teams have and that they fight for the Premier League title, we have given them a good run for those Champions League spots.”
Newcastle made goalkeeper Steve Harper captain for the day as he bade an emotional farewell to St James’ Park in his 199th and final Newcastle game.
In the 37th minute, in recognition of his last squad number, the 38-year-old was treated to a momentous and unexpected ovation from home fans.
Harper said: “Everybody started clapping and a couple of the lads looked around to see if I was all right and I was wobbling. Then I saw my dad in the tunnel — he was a miner for 30 years who is supposed to be as hard as nails — and he was wobbling, and that got to me.
“But then Lukas Podolski smashed the ball in the family allowance and that soon snapped me out of it.”— Mailonline.
Online Reporter