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Jack - Where we must improve next year

Jack Wilshere believes Arsenal are moving in the right direction - but must be more clinical in front of goal next season.

The Gunners missed out on the title but can seal automatic entry into next season’s Champions League with a point against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Wilshere says the players are as disappointed as anyone at failing to maintain their challenge this term, but remains confident they will improve next term.

“I was obviously watching as a fan for most of the year so it was tough to watch,” he told Arsenal Player. “I think of the games that didn’t go our way like Swansea at home.

“We used to struggle against the big teams, but this year we were alright. In games [like the Swansea one] we start quickly in the first 20 minutes and have chances but we need to make them count. There are a lot of chances we create with the likes of Ozil, Alexis and Welbeck, we just have to be a bit more clinical.

“I think [we are moving in the right direction]. We put up a big challenge this year, and OK it didn’t work out, but after we beat Leicester at home we thought this was our year and we have to push on. Unfortunately we didn’t, but we put up more of a fight than previous years.

“A big thing we worked on this season was when we lose the ball, we straight away have to defend and win the ball higher up. I think we have done that well and we improved a lot on that.”