The Gunners have had a wonderful season, but they never really challenged Chelsea for the title.

Their problem was the fact that the team hadn't gelled before Christmas time, and Arsenal were relying too much on Alexis Sanchez.

They've had a wonderful run in the league since then. Despite not challenging at the end, and despite an disappointing exit from the Champions League they can be happy with a successful season.

Here are the three areas where Arsenal need to strengthen. Three players with an honourable mention for each category....

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Defensive midfielder - Geoffrey Kondogbia

A young french international with bags of potential. Sounds ideal for Wenger, no?

Kondogbia was key for Monaco as they reached the Quarter Final of the Champions League and made a late surge to stand on the brink of Champions League qualification with only a game remaining.

Monaco are known for their solid defence this season, as arsenal found out to their cost in the Champions League first knockout round. Monaco did not concede a home goal in the league between November and and have been devastating on the counter - that's in no small part due to their anchorman Kondogbia who stops teams from breaking down the monegasque defensive unit.

Not only will he bring defensive solidity and work rate to the midfield, but he's also big and strong and that's something Arsenal lack in their midfield. Even if Arsenal don't want to replace the home-grown Coquelin, Wenger could find room for both players in his squad rotation system, or chop and change depending on the needs of each game.

Coquelin seems to play well as part of the midfield, whereas Kondogbia will be happy enough if you leave him to his beat in front of the back four. Arsenal can also use his power to attack teams too, but he'll pick him moments and won't blindly maraud forwards. It always pays to have more options

Honourable mention: William Carvalho - touted as an Arsenal signing in the last summer transfer window, he would certainly add physicality to the midfield this year too.

Goalkeeper - Petr Cech

One that's been rumoured a fair amount over the last few weeks. Arsenal's goalkeeping problems has been highlighted this year with the poor form of Szczesny and the promotion of Ospina to the number one shirt. Arsene Wenger may have different ideas, but Ospina looks more suited to life as an able deputy number two in the Premier League, and if Arsenal have title ambitions they may want to strengthen between the posts.

There are numerous choices including Iker Casillas being mentioned, but Petr Cech knows the Premier League inside out, he's been arguably the best in the league over the past 10 years and he's certainly not too old for a goalkeeper. Sounds like a no-brainer for Arsene to give this abandoned puppy a new home.

The stumbling block is really whether Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich feel that Arsenal are title-rivals next season. Or whether they'd be stronger title rivals with Cech in goal.

Cech, however, has been a loyal performer for Chelsea over the years and has sat on the bench for a full title-winning season without saying a peep. Chelsea might reward such loyalty by simply letting him go to Arsenal if that's what he wishes to do. Not many players could command that sort of respect.

Honourable Mention: Steve Mandanda - There are so many goalkeepers to choose. Cech seems best for a title charge because he knows the Premier League, but my pick for best of the rest is Mandanda. He's experienced and we know he's very good. He's not the youngest and, like Cech, Arsenal won't need to nurture him. Arsenal really need a keeper they can trust, rather than an untried keeper being given his big break.

All-purpose midfielder - Sami Khedira

Another name that's been thrown around carelessly over the last year or so has been that of Sami Khedira. The German international hasn't played as many games as he might have liked for Real Madrid over the last few seasons, but he was key for Germany in their World Cup success in 2014.

Often seen as a defensive midfielder, he's not a defensive anchor in the mould of Claude Makelele or even Nemanja Matic. Nor is he a powerhouse of the ilk of Patrick Vieira. He's a much classier player than that, he's superb on the ball, has an eye for a pass. He even managed to pop up with two goals in the humbling of hosts Brazil, a game that shows just how much of a complete midfielder Khedira actually is. He can be used all over the midfield, and this makes him perfect for Arsenal this summer.

He'd certainly be a step up for Arsenal from what they have already in the defensive midfield category, and I'm certain he'd have no problem playing in that position for Arsenal against the lesser teams. But in a midfield that lacks power, Khedira will not provide it, and he may begin to look a little lost when his fellow midfielders join the attack and he's left patrolling in front of the back four by himself.

If Arsenal do plump for Sami, they'll either have to add some power in the midfield too, or else they'll have to be careful not to leave him exposed. Which begs the question of why their midfielders can't simply do that anyway without shelling out money and huge wages for a Real Madrid player.

Honourable mention: James Milner - If you're linked with Khedira and get Milner then you'll probably feel a little short changed. But Milner is a willing runner and a capable footballer. He'd be the midfield man who Arsene could trust and would help out on the defensive side of the game too. His versatility has helped Manchester City to two titles, so why couldn't it help Arsenal too?