Kieran Gibbs says the dramatic nature of Arsenal’s Champions League qualification will make them a stronger side next season and claims his team-mates will soon be in a position to end the club’s trophy drought.
The Gunners secured fourth place with a 1-0 victory at Newcastle on the final day of the Premier League campaign courtesy of Laurent Koscielny’s second-half close-range finish.
Arsene Wenger’s side will now face a two-legged play-off in August to reach the Champions League group stage for the 16th consecutive season after a difficult campaign ended in celebration at St James’ Park.
Gibbs hailed Arsenal’s form during the run-in — one defeat in 16 League matches — but stressed the importance of building on their achievement.
“We are jumping around celebrating but we haven’t actually won anything,” the left-back told Standard Sport. “You can look at it like that. On the other hand, we are aware that we need to produce next season. We have to be confident to deal with that.
“It is massive to finish in the top four. We have done it for however many seasons on the bounce now but we haven’t actually properly qualified yet because we still have to play the play-off game at the start of the new season.
“We would have liked to have had a better season but I think overall you have to be happy with the way the team got back together after December and showed real character, yet again, to come back and finish where we want to be.
“We were a new-look side for another season, again, with new signings that have had to come in and step up. It is never easy to just come straight into the Premier League and perform like some of our good players have.
“In the end, there was a combination of us needing to realise what we wanted from the season and the players starting to get to know each other more. As time went on, we started to gel.
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“That was important and it puts us in good stead for next season because I believe the team have gelled because of this. The dramatic finale makes us even stronger and we are going into next season head on.”
Gibbs has been a member of the first-team squad since 2007 and enjoyed his most productive season to date having made 34 appearances. Despite the loss of several key players in recent seasons, the 23-year-old believes the current squad are now showing signs of becoming the best he has known if they can improve their focus and discipline.
“For me, having been the most involved this season, this is the strongest I have felt about the team I have played in,” he said. “I believe strongly in this team now.
“We haven’t shown it consistently enough in the cups and the League but you have seen many glimpses of what the team are capable of.
“We have to focus on every detail to give ourselves the best chance to produce something because we are desperate to win a trophy.”
