Arsenal -Baas Mikel Arteta has revealed what he believes that his team was missing in their search to win the Premier League title last season.
The Gunners finished in second place for the third consecutive campaign when they finished ten points behind Champions Liverpool.
Arteta believes that the long absence of important players last season proved expensive for his team.
A large number of important Arsenal stars spent on the sidelines last season, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Arteta said men in wind instruments: 'Many things should go well to finish second in the Premier League and to do the number of points we have done more than any other club in three seasons in the Premier League. So many best things you have to do.
'But what we missed in my opinion was that we missed some top players. Players who have to be on the field who have to influence the results for four or five months, we miss them and it was no one, there were four or five of them, and there we came in my opinion. But although we did it, I think we did it in a way that I think we should be, really privileged. '
The Arsenal manager also admitted that the title race could be the most difficult one this season.
He said: 'First of all, you have to believe in it and really believe in it. And when we talk and say, okay, we have to describe how good we are in many things we do, and then they realize it.
'But they are also convinced that we know that that is a really difficult season, probably the most difficult ever because of the quality of each team, the way in which everyone has strengthened their team. But at the same time it is probably also the most exciting.
Arteta will hope for more happiness for his players in the field of injuries this season and he will also be looking for Viktor Gyokeres to have a big impact.
There is a lot of expectations for Gyokeres after his arrival from Sport, but Arteta believes that the striker will thrive for Arsenal.
Arteta said: 'He will bring a different level of threat. I never stopped to have a 9 like this, never.
'The thing is that we have adapted to the players and try to get the best out of the players we have, and now we have someone with a unique ability to place the ball in the back of the net. He has done more often than anyone in Europe. That is a great quality to have in the team. '
Arteta revealed that his first phone call with Gyokeres convinced him that the Sweden International was the right option.
When asked what information convinced that Gyokees will be a success, Arteta said: 'The information was my first phone call with him. I told him the idea that I had and I just wanted to look at his reaction, such as coming to Arsenal, imagine that you turn on that shirt, walk into the dressing room with the expectations around you, how do you deal with it?.
To the delight of Arteta, Gyokees replied by saying: “that's my dream.”
Arteta continued: 'You can have all the information, but this guy must come and adjust to this pressure in this competition. The other data I knew. It is how this guy will behave when he comes to that pitch with that safety, that dominance and that arrogance almost to say, don't worry, I will do it. '
In addition to Gyokees, Arsenal has also signed Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Crithian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Gunners will get their Premier League campaign on Sunday when they get away opposite Manchester United.