Arsene Wenger does not feel Arsenal have under-performed this season - but he will venture into the transfer market for extra quality.
It could have been so much better for the Gunners, however, and Wenger accepts his squad needs a bit of help to "get over the line" next season.
"The players had a fantastic attitude for the whole season and I am frustrated because they have not been rewarded," he said.
"The players have produced every single effort they could on the pitch, but maybe we were a bit to nervous when we had to cross the line.
"In the final minutes of big games, we lost and it was not down to the fact the players did not want it, they want to do well and have been remarkable, but we lacked a bit of calm in some situations.
"Experience will help with that and also the transfer market will help as well."
Wenger maintains there have been positives from a "frustrating" season.
"We do not feel that we under-performed overall because we were in the Carling Cup final, the quarter-final of the FA Cup against Manchester United, where we lost three days after [going out to] Barcelona [in the Champions League], so we produced quality games and at the end of the day there are objective signs for us that show we have the quality," he said.
"We feel we have made up some of the gap between us and the top teams from the seasons before - we are top of the league in the top four of Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, so we have every reason to be frustrated."
Despite United having all but wrapped up the title with victory over Chelsea last weekend, Wenger sees plenty left to play for with Arsenal two points ahead of City and three behind Chelsea with two games left.
"We can still catch the second place and we can finish second, third or fourth, depending on our results," Wenger added.
"Of course we want to finish in the top three and if possible second.
"It is not unrealistic [to finish second] when you are just three points behind.
"Manchester City can want third place because they are only two points behind, so it is open."
Wenger is expected to add some experienced cover over the summer, but he will not be drawn on potential targets.
"We are looking to strengthen every year. First we look not to weaken because we want to keep all our players, and then try to strengthen," he said.
"It is not the number, it is the quality.
"But we don't rule out any position and we don't target any special position before the transfer market."
