How do we grade Arsenal's 2023/24 Premier League season?

Arsenal did all it could to knock Manchester City off their perch, and in a season where the club registered the most league wins in the Premier League era, had the best defense, and were the second-highest scorers, what grade should Arteta's team receive?

Most Arsenal fans are still licking their wounds after the weekend's result. After all, the club had been nearly perfect since the turn of the year, and even that wasn't enough to halt Pep Guardiola's juggernaut.

Despite Arsenal having nothing to show for what could easily be described as its best season since 2003/04 when the title was lifted, there were some overwhelming positives to come out of the year.

The Gunners did a lot right in this Premier League test, and after doing all they could, what grade should Arteta's team receive? Optus Sports' Joshua Thomas has given Arsenal an A grade for its second-placed finish.

"Mikel Arteta’s side pushed the reigning champions all the way this season as they improved upon the promise of 2022/23," Thomas writes. "While they fell two points short of the title after a costly defeat to Aston Villa in April, the Gunners improved in every area. They boasted the Premier League’s best defence, scored three more goals than they did last season and accrued five more points. Declan Rice’s addition proved key and another few shrewd signings this off-season should have Arsenal on track to challenge again."

In Thomas' report card, the Gunners were just one of three teams to receive an A grade, with Aston Villa and Manchester City the others.

Arsenal had a superb season any way you look at it and while there are some on social media who think the Gunners "bottled" it, that couldn't be further from the truth. City were simply better for longer as they went unbeaten in the league after their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa back on December 7.

The loss to Villa for Arsenal was the hammer blow many didn't know at the time, as had the Gunners managed three points, the title would have been coming to north London.

Of course, we could pick apart several games to determine when and where Arsenal lost the title, but lets look at this as a positive experience. The Gunners were the best of the rest and pushed Pep's side all the way and forced them to be perfect.

Unfortunately, they were. And that's what beat Arteta and Arsenal - perfection.

Now, the summer begins, and the Gunners will be looking to get their business done early and prepare for another assault on the Premier League.

While yes, the A grade is nice, next season, when the Gunners sit for the Premier League test, they want to ace it.