There is nothing much to say about Saturday’s match against Manchester City because nothing much happened. It was possibly the dullest game that Ashburton Grove has seen in its short history.

With nothing to play for, Arsenal lacked the passion and impetus to turn their possession into goals. City, who do have something to play for, seemed content with a draw. The hapless Lukasz Fabianski kept a clean sheet, largely because he had nothing to save. Such was the impotence of the visitor’s attack that Mikael Silvestre had what could be described as "a solid game" at the back.

Theo Walcott Attempting Something ©Getty Images

Arsenal did muster a couple chances but they came to nothing - though an Abou Diaby shot did require a fine save from Shay Given who dislocated his shoulder in the process. Elsewhere, Theo Walcott did nothing - but we are getting used to that.

Nothing much changed when Roberto Mancini threw Emmanuel Adebayor into the mix but at least booing him gave everyone something to focus on. However, it was hard to maintain a serious level of barracking when his pigtails kept making you laugh. Robin Van Persie hacking him down in the middle of the pitch was about as pulsating as the afternoon got.

Truly a nothing game… Still, it allowed time for a bit of reflection on the season. So let’s talk about that instead.

A point meant that the Gunners realistically, though not quite mathematically, have clinched third spot. So, the good news is that Champions League football for next season has been assured without the inconvenience of having to play a qualifying tie at the beginning of next season. The bad news is that yet again we have ended up trophyless.

It sounds a strange thing to say - and maybe it is - but the concept of the Gunners failing to win something again seems more important to supporters of other clubs (and the media) than it does to Gooners. Obviously, we all set out at the start of the season dreaming of pick up silverware at the end of it - and Arsenal is one of the few clubs in the country who do have a realistic chance of fulfilling those dreams each year. I mean, imagine for a second being a fan of one of most other Premier League teams who, from the moment they kick off in August, know in their heart of hearts that the best they can hope for is mid-table safety or, worse still, face a season-long relegation fight. It's pretty grim in comparison.

Still, I suppose having low expectations at the start of the season does have its plus side. As John Cleese once memorably said, "It’s not the disappointment, it’s the hope I can’t cope with”. And, in a way, that has been the hardest thing for Arsenal fans to contend with in recent seasons. We have come close to winning things on several occasions during the past five years - often when we least expected it - and have had moments where “hope” started to morph into “belief” and “expectation". And it is when those two things get scuppered that it really jars you as a fan.

So, am I happy that we have had another trophyless season? No, I am not. But at the same time, if you make a life-long commitment to a football team and then expect to win something every year, as if it is the be all and end all, then you are going spend a lot of your supporting life feeling very disappointed. Winning trophies is just one part of the tapestry of being a fan.

What we want to feel as Arsenal supporters is a sense that the club is constantly moving forward and that progress is being made rather than the club stagnating or going backwards. And, if we step back and give ourselves some perspective on this season there is evidence to say that matters have improved on last year. There is still a lot of work to do if the potential the squad shows is to be turned into silverware but, all things considered, if anything, this current collection of players has exceeded most observers’ expectations rather than fallen short of them.

To keep things moving forward though, Arsene Wenger is going to have to face a few home truths and make some tough decisions in the summer. It is not going to be just about the players he tries to bring to the club but one senses several of the existing players will be on their way out because some of them have been proved to be just not good enough to take the club to the next level.

Looking at all the top-three teams, all face something of a transitional summer. Chelsea have an aging squad and there appears to be a few things going on behind the scenes money-wise. Manchester United, by their own high standards, have been poor this season and some re-thinking is required at that club too. They also have their own off-the-field issues. Consequently, it is vital that Arsene Wenger is bold in the coming months. He has to be both ruthless and decisive in his decision-making in order that the Gunners not only keep pace with their nearest rivals but get a march on them.

But, in considering his moves this summer, he has to think beyond Chelsea and Man Utd though. If Man City do clinch fourth spot and a Champions League place, it is going to make them a far more attractive proposition for incoming players, particularly with the money they have at their disposal. Though the idea of a player like Kaka joining them might have been something of a joke a year ago, it will suddenly become a far more likely scenario if they can offer Champions League football along with wages to match any club in Europe.

Similarly, Liverpool are a bit of an unknown quantity amid rumours that they might be about to get new owners. If they suddenly found themselves with a new manager - let’s face it, who would want to keep Benitez? - and a limitless transfer budget, with their pedigree, they will suddenly become major contenders again. Let's not spoil our meanderings by even entertaining the idea that Spurs might actually qualify for the Champions League and what that might mean to them.

Despite the lack of trophies since the FA Cup win in 2005, looking at the bigger picture, Arsene Wenger has in many respects done a more than creditable job over the past five years. He has seen the club through a stadium move - which none of his rivals have had to contend with. He has ensured qualification to the Champions League every season and gotten the team through to the latter stages each time. Every year they have had a decent crack at winning the Premier League though some attempts have been closer than others. Most importantly, he has grown the nucleus of a squad which, if given the right reinforcements and adjustments, could go on to be successful. And we must not forget that all this has been done without the backing of a benefactor and with the club being run as proper business.

None of this is as good as winning trophies but as Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie have said in interviews this week, the club do deserve credit for what they have achieved. Sadly though, outside of Highbury, they are not going to get any credit until they do turn their potential into trophies and, ultimately, trophies decide whether this period in the club’s history will be remembered as a successful one.

We have two more pretty meaningless matches to watch before the season ends and we go into what might be one of the most interesting summers for some years - or as interesting as summer can get with no Arsenal to watch. Arsene Wenger has steered the club through some choppy waters in recent seasons but now, more than ever, it seems to be the time for him to be brave - but not reckless - in pushing the club towards the goal of winning its first silverware in the Ashburton Grove era.