In what's been one of the most surprising league seasons for many years, one thing remained constant - Arsenal being around the top places.

The Gunners have had another successful campaign, one that most of the sides in the league could have only wished for, playing their usual brand of great attacking football and another top four finish in the Premier League. Arsene Wenger has bought in a number of good signings who have added to the squad well and things look bright financially for Arsenal, too, which in football's current climate is just as vital.

This season then, there have been a number of good news stories at the Emirates, ones that the players and fans should be proud of and overall the season should be considered a success. There's a number of reasons that have meant Arsenal have had a good campaign and here are the FIVE most prominent...

Finishing above Tottenham

This one largely explains itself. Finishing above Tottenham this season had looked in the balance right up to the final day of the season until a convincing 4-0 victory over Aston Villa, coupled with Spurs' capitulation at Newcastle, hoisted the Gunners into 2nd spot. Not since 1995 have Tottenham finished above Arsenal and thanks to Olivier Giroud's hat-trick on Sunday, that run will continue.

Top of the prize money league

Arsenal's performance this season will see them collect the most Premier League prize money. According to the Mirror the Gunners will collect £101 million and with another season of Champions League football on the horizon, this will help no end in adding further additions in the transfer market this summer, as well as boosting the financial stability of the club.

Improved defence

The signing of Petr Cech has proved one of the deals of this season as he passed the record number of clean sheets by a Premier League goalkeeper, previously set by David James. Cech now has 178 clean sheets to his name, 16 of which were recorded this year as the Arsenal defence recorded more shutouts than any other team, joint with Manchester United.

They still play the best football

The stats show Arsene Wenger's men still play the most attractive football in the league. The Gunners have the best possession average of any side (56.9%) as well as the highest pass completion rate, a staggering 84.2%. Combine that with fact the north London side have the joint fourth highest amount of goals scored with 65 and it highlights the team's evident quality going forward.

Good young players

The future looks promising at the Emirates as a number of younger players look set to take the team forward. Alex Iwobi burst onto the scene this year with a number of eye-catching performances out wide whilst it's easy to forget Hector Bellerin is only 21 given his assured performances at right back. Then considering the likes of Jack Wilshere is back to full fitness, Arsenal have a strong young team that has plenty of years ahead of them.