I could not be prouder of my football team than I’ve been this season. In 50-odd years of supporting the Arsenal I’ve seen them win five league titles, 10 FA Cups, two League Cups and a European Cup Winners Cup – and I was there on every occasion.

This season they won nothing, apart from the Community Shield against Man City. But they have played probably the best football I’ve seen, roared on by the best crowds – home and away – under a manager in Mikel Arteta who may eventually be considered the greatest in a long line that includes Herbert Chapman, Arsene Wenger, George Graham and Don Howe.

They’ve scored the most goals (91) and let in the fewest (29) and they’ve won a record 28 of their 38 games. They were also unbeaten against other Top Six clubs, winning six and drawing four. And done it without cheating.

It’s been their sad misfortune to be competing against the best and most successful club England has ever seen, albeit one facing an inquiry into 115 financial irregularities.

Running them this close on such an uneven playing field is something to celebrate.

I know football fans love their rivals’ failures almost as much – and in one notable case, even more – than their own triumphs but no one can convince me there is any shame in finishing marginally behind the quadruple-winning petrodollar-funded juggernaut that is Manchester City.

So thanks to the Arsenal for a second successive fantastic season and here’s hoping they can go one better; even before City get sent down to Division 3 for their crimes.