Victory over Sunderland yesterday, with Theo Walcott's goal proving decisive, saw the Gunners finish the season just four points adrift of champions Manchester United, two behind Chelsea.

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In Wenger's mind, that was near enough a dead heat – almost too close to call over the course of 38 games.

The Frenchman said: "We finished the season with 83 points, which I think is very respectable – I have won championships with less than that.

"In my opinion, we lost a 100-metre race by a fraction of a second.

"If someone puts their chest in front of you at the finish line, that doesn't mean that you haven't ran a great 100m.

"The Premiership was exciting to the last game of the season for the first time in three or four years and I believe there's no doubt we contributed to that.

"There was very little difference between the three teams which were vying for the title and any little weakness a side might have, was punished – it just highlights the level of the competition that there is now at the top.

"I think where Manchester United made the difference was at home.

"They took less points away from home than us and Chelsea, but they got 16 victories at home and that was an ability that they used to their advantage.

"I look back on the season with disappointment because we fought and worked so hard and you're never happy with finishing third.

"But I have hope for the future because we have such a young side and to reach 83 points is impressive.

"We made a big improvement on last season – 15 points more than last time around (when French superstar Thierry Henry led the line before exiting to Barcelona) – and we were very, very close to the title, but I think a combination of a little bad luck and a lot of youthfulness maybe cost us.

"You have to take a reasonable view of things and there is no escaping the fact that we got 83 points.

"I believe that quality wise we have been remarkably consistent all season, it's just that one or two little things have let us down over the course of the campaign.

"So to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United I would say 'congratulations' – winning the title is a great achievement.

"But now prepare to do battle again next season."