Everyone at Arsenal will have been breathing a huge sigh of relief on Sunday as the club secured participation in next season's Champions League with a nervy 3-2 victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns.
It cannot be over-estimated just how important qualifying for Europe's premier club competition was this time around. Failure to do so and the Gunners would be restricted in their ability to both bring in quality additions to their squad, but also to hang onto their existing top talent.
Foremost in Arsenal fans' thoughts after Sunday's match was what the future holds for their leading light, Robin van Persie. But despite, the joy of finishing third and all that goes along with it, the Premier League's leading scorer was non-committal about his plans.
"I love this club. Whatever happens that will never change," Van Persie said, according to BBC Sport. "We will have a chat next week somewhere with the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Ivan Gazidis.
"I have been playing here for eight years and I love this club. Whatever happens that will never change."
As much as money will play a part in whether Van Perise stays or moves to pastures new, the Dutch striker is also sure to want assurances over the club's ambition.
Wenger has already acted early to make moves to improve the squad next season with the signing of Lukas Podolski. And with a place in the Champions League now assured, further deals are likely to be accelerated.
Likely to be first on Wenger's agenda is completing the signing of Yann M'Vila. It was reported last week by various sources that Arsenal were close to a £17.7 million deal for the Rennes defensive midfielder. Although Inter is also said to be interested in the France international, Arsenal could well finalize terms in the near future.
An alternative in the holding midfield role has long-been speculated to be Anderlecht's Lucas Biglia. And the Argentina international has confirmed that both Arsenal and Real Madrid are keen on the 26-year-old.
"It's true Real Madrid and Arsenal are interested in me," he said, according toTribal Football.
"I have a contract with Anderlecht until 2015 but the club know what I want. My intention is to leave."
Regardless of Van Persie's decision, Wenger is also likely to be seeking a new striker this summer. Both Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner have failed to regularly produce goals and could be on their way out in the next couple of months.
One name mentioned as a summer transfer target is FC Twente's Luuk de Jong. The Dutch international has been in outstanding form this season hitting 25 goals in 24 games in the Eredivisie. Liverpool have also been linked with the 21-year-old, who has now suggested that he could be tempted by a big move.
"I'm certainly not necessarily gone, but if something interesting comes up, I will think about it," he said, according to Tribal Football.
Arsenal could also be looking closer to home to boost their attack. Chelsea's Salomon Kalou is said to be long admired by Wenger and the indications are that the inside forward could move on this summer, with his contract set to expire.
"I'm one step away from winning the Champions League. After that I can decide," Kalou has said, according to the Metro.
"I just want to win the Champions League. If I do, I will have won every trophy possible with Chelsea and that was my goal when I signed for the club."
After several seasons of problems, one position that does appear settled at the Emirates is that of goalkeeper. Wojciech Szczesny has made the position his own this season and looks set for several years between the sticks for the Gunners. But, with Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski both said to be keen to move on during the close season, there is likely to be a vacancy to provide back-up and competition to the young Pole.
Michel Vorm has been heavily linked with Arsenal, but the impressive Swansea keeper has said he has no interest in being a back-up.
"I like it here very, very much," Vorm said, according to This is South Wales. "I know I am No. 1 here and we play the best football in the league. I train with the best manager in the league so it would be hard for me to leave the club.
"There is no point me being a No. 2. I'm 29 in October and my best years are just starting. After 37 games in the Premier League I feel I have proved my worth so why should I go and sit on the bench somewhere?
"That's not for me. Maybe last season it would have been different but things are different now. If I am going to go somewhere I have to be No. 1."
