Arsène Wenger believes a strong end to the campaign and a stable summer will help Arsenal get off to a strong start next season.
The Gunners head to St James’ Park on Sunday to take on Newcastle United knowing that a victory would secure Champions League qualification.
With Manchester United and Manchester City changing managers, and Chelsea expected to follow suit, Wenger admits an opportunity has opened up for his side.
The game on Sunday is also for next season, to know when you have to turn up, you turn up. That makes your future stronger as well
“When you finish the season strong - like we do - you already prepare for next season because you go with more certainty,” he said. “Last year we had a new team and we have built up some belief.
“We want to use that belief to win the game on Sunday, but you prepare as well the longer-term. You prepare for next season.
“The game on Sunday is also for next season, to know when you have to turn up, you turn up. That makes your future stronger as well: the strength and belief that you can start strongly again, that you are on a run, and you don't interrupt that because of the summer break.
“You just know there are some qualities in this squad that will come out next year.”
Wenger admits he is looking forward to a summer free of drama surrounding the future of his squad, and says it could prove to be crucial.
“It is a very important thing because, last year and the year before the summers were very difficult because of the Fabregas case, and last year the Van Persie case. And the Nasri case the year before,” he said.
“We started pre-season, on camps, every time with a player being half in or half out, and that's not the best way mentally to prepare for the season.”Copyright 2016 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source