It was refreshing to have a football match to think about on Saturday after the dramatic developments at boardroom level last week. The visit to the Lane was a mixture of delight and frustration. If you look at the game with your glass half full, you can see a team on the edge of greatness. And on this occasion, cheered by the near inevitability of a top four finish after a difficult campaign, I am going to accentuate the positives (whilst acknowledging where the team is falling short).

If this campaign has not destroyed the confidence of some of the younger players (and I hope it hasn’t) then it will stand the team in good stead. With the boardroom saga spreading uncertainty, I think we can all predict the big names that will leave (for little in the way of income) this summer, but as for new signings, nobody can say with any confidence who will come in. My suspicion, based on the manager’s words, is that at best, there may be two major signings this summer, one of those in goal. I think, that although Baptista and Aliadiere will depart, the manager will consider himself covered up front with Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor and the returning Bendtner. Assuming Freddie departs, Ribery would be an obvious candidate to come in, although I suspect that will depend on him wanting to choose Arsenal ahead of other suitors, as the wages the club can offer would be lesser than some.

So a new keeper and Ribery would be the only changes to the squad, as more experience departs (although in the case of Lehmann and Ljungberg, in truth I don’t think either has much more to give the club). Alexander Hleb will probably stay and continue to infuriate, although if Rosicky and Ribery (let’s assume he signs for the sake of argument) start as first choicers, Hleb will gradually become a Cygan-esque figure, and the club can afford to carry such players in the squad and still win things, as the Unbeatables season proved. It’s not ideal, but it is part of the package you get with Wenger.

In other positions, the players are there if they can just sort out their heads. Eboue needs to change his act and is capable of putting in a decent performance if someone has a stern word about his self-discipline. Toure has had a dodgy season, but I have faith that if the team can build some confidence, he can return to the player of old. I hope his problems are down to sheer fatigue and that he can return refreshed in July. Gallas is a quality player although some resent him and do not seem to think he is particularly committed, possibly taking their cue from paper talk. Wenger certainly indulges him by giving him his favoured centre-back berth, but I really think that when the chips are down, you can find fault in every player and some fans are looking for it with Gallas. I would be very reluctant to give up on a player so experienced, although I would emphasise to him that his versatility is actually a strength for the team and that on occasion, he could help Arsenal more if he were willing to cover at full back. Clichy is becoming a very tidy player and looks to be made of the right stuff. The backline has to be settled, composed and know that they can rely on all the other members of the team to help them out when required.

Across the middle, Rosicky needs to play regularly in a settled line-up to come into his own. He’s had a frustrating season of adaptation and next season is the time to deliver. We need ten goals from him in all competitions. As an attacking midfielder he has to weigh in. So does Cesc. Can’t knock the lad for his efforts this campaign, but he knows himself that for the number of chances he’s had the return is not good enough. Unquestionably the heart of the team now and the main man for the Gunners until 2011. Gilberto is Gilberto. The game of his life would be one where he never touches the ball. His role is insurance for overlapping defenders, covering the gaps. That he has actually weighed in with a few goals this season has been a real bonus. But he is the glue that binds a winning team where attack is prioritised over defence. Hleb seems to have lost much of his confidence and this is one player who I hope is either sold or relegated to the bench. He is simply too wasteful in possession and has gone completely off the boil. The reluctance to shoot has become a joke and if Arsenal are to dominate matches, especially in Europe, possession is key. He’s had his time to adapt to the English game and has failed. Quality performances (such as the one against Bolton in the FA Cup replay) are too rare nowadays to justify his starting spot. I’ve seen enough, case closed.

Up front Adebayor is an awkward customer and probably actually better than Kanu for both attitude and contribution to the team. He is still young and I think could prove a vital component if Arsenal are to progress. I am really looking forward to seeing a fit Henry and RVP next season.

There are many reasons this season hasn’t quite happened and some of them were visible at the Lane on Saturday. But to emphasise the positives, away from home in a derby match against a top half Premiership side – once Fabregas came on – Arsenal bossed it. Absolutely bossed it. The game was a draw due to a mixture of ill fortune, bad decision making (on the part of the officials and Arsene Wenger at different times) and lack of concentration. Now if the side can boss (theoretically difficult) games to that degree, it won’t take a lot to actually start beating all and sundry and actually compete again for the Premiership. Even in this difficult season, Arsenal have shown they can stand toe to toe with their serious rivals. It’s changing the results against the lesser teams that is the key to success. Too many cheap points have been sacrificed this campaign, but I do believe it won’t take a lot to change that.

Critically, discipline, confidence and consistency have all gone missing at times this season. Too often. It’s very, very simple really. Improve the finishing and work harder – mentally – when not in possession. That will turn 2-2 draws into 4-0 wins, but Arsenal being Arsenal, it’s more likely be 4-3. However, if Wenger can just keep the best talents at the club, the doom and gloom of the last few weeks can be lifted and the club can rise again to challenge. We’ve doubted before and been proved wrong. We went three season without a trophy between the doubles of 1998 and 2002. I do believe Wenger will produce one more great team before he’s finished his work at Arsenal. Let’s just hope the boardroom shenanigans do not prevent him from doing just that.