Arsenal endured a difficult season last term and their FA Cup success at Wembley was overshadowed by question marks as to whether Arsene Wenger would stay on at the Emirates Stadium, having seen his side miss out on Champions League football for the first-time under his tenure.

The Gunners’ fifth-placed Premier League finish means they’ll spend the forthcoming season in the Europa League, potentially handing the North London giants issues as they attempt to keep the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the club.

Wenger was regularly asked about his future, as he rapidly approached the end of his contract, and fan protests showed that many had waned their support for the manager and wanted change. In the end though, the French boss penned a new two-year deal.

Arsenal have made big strides since, moving early on the transfer market to capture Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette, but Wenger admits he may have made a mistake last season by letting the saga concerning his future drag on.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, he said:

“For me it will be a change because it was a bit eternal, a repetition of the press conferences about that. Maybe I made a mistake and allowed that to happen because I didn’t commit early enough.”

“I think at some stage I did not think it would be a handicap for my commitment and it was not. But it was a bit of a handicap because it created a climate of insecurity and a lack of clarity about my person that maybe did not help at some stage.”

“I believe everyone is focused on the new season and giving absolutely the best, so overall that is what we want as we go into it. ”

“We basically had three seasons last year: the first part was very positive, the second part was very negative, and the third part was very positive. I believe it is important that we analyse well what happened to us, and where we can improve – and then transfer the optimistic final part of the season into the new campaign and start in a very strong way.”

Arsenal clash with Bayern Munich today in Shanghai, the third of their pre-season friendlies, before ending their tour at the weekend by tackling Premier League champions Chelsea. The Gunners will then return for the Emirates Cup for two more pre-season matches.

Wenger’s side is set to face the Blues again at Wembley in the Community Shield, before kicking off the new Premier League season on Friday 11th August against Leicester City.