Arsenal legend Martin Keown reckons that an FA Cup and a second place in the league should count as progress for the club.
Keown said, a It has to represent progress if youa re finishing two positions higher and still in the FA Cup.
a Chelsea will win it [the Premier League] but if you ask them next season, they wona t fear anyone but they will be aware of Arsenal. They will want to challenge next season and they will want to start well next year.a
With Arsenal have a consistent run of 4th place finishes, a run that seems like ita s been going on forever, a change of place by finishing higher would certainly be met with relief from the fans. Whether they would consider it progress is an entirely different thing altogether, with a sizeable number of fans even now calling for Arsene Wengera s sacking.
However, a second place finish and an FA Cup is nothing to be scoffed at, and more importantly, they would not have to play the qualifying leg for the Champions League that has been curtailing their pre-season and summer signings every month.
With the form that Arsenal is in, the tactical tweaks they have taken on board, and the newfound fitness of players, it would be criminal if Arsenal dona t kick on next season and put a tough fight for the title, just like Keown suggested.