Arsenal head into the final weekend of the campaign with little other than somewhat wounded pride to play for following exits in the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

The Gunners are now safe in fourth spot - which will mean they will face a qualifier in August for the group stages of European football's elite club competition - following an unbeaten league run of 21 matches which ended when they were hammered 4-1 at home by Chelsea two weeks ago.

Although the deficit on champions Manchester United, who knocked Arsenal out of Europe, stands at some 18 points heading into Sunday's last round of matches, when Stoke come to Emirates Stadium, Wenger insists his squad continue to make relative progress.

"We were in the Champions League final in 2006, the quarter-final last year and the semi-final this year. Last year we nearly won the [Premier League] championship, this year we did not - but we have not stood still in the last four years like many people have suggested," Wenger said.

"I know bigger clubs who have gone out in the last 16 of the Champions League in the last five years.

"The level of competition is very high in England, but I believe we will have a word to say next season.

Wenger added: "If you are a top player, when you are 23, then you normally start to perform at the level of the Champions League - these players have 40 or 50 Champions League games at 22 years old. They are much ahead of the programme here."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, his side now safe in the Premier League for another season, has revealed the bad blood which followed the fixture at Britannia Stadium back in November is now very much water under the bridge.

Wenger accused Stoke's players of trying to injure his own men during the 2-1 win for the Potters.

However, Pulis has revealed after he completed the London Marathon in April to raise money for a local hospice, Wenger wrote to him and included a signed Arsenal shirt to be raffled off.

The Gunners boss reflected: "We lost the game at Stoke because we did not deal well with their strong points.

"I believe on one or two occasions I saw tackles that were not quite clear - but on the day they were well organised, defended very well and took advantage of what they are strong at which is their throw-ins and their set pieces."

However, Wenger insisted Sunday's encounter would be a much different affair.

He said: "We are ready. What people do not realise is how much this team has improved.

"Since November in the championship we have lost just one game, which for me was more down to the disappointment of the Champions League exit.

"We have a good opportunity to show how much we have improved against Stoke.

"It is very important to show out quality, finish well and start well again next season.

"I personally believe that this team which, considering the age of the whole squad, has done fantastically well since November.

"We were unlucky in one or two circumstances, but we have consistency and quality and the job is not finished with that team. It now starts."