Arsene Wenger says Arsenal need to “be more ruthless defensively” next season.

The Gunners have only conceded 34 goals over the course of this Premier League campaign - just six more than second-placed Tottenham Hotspur - but have dropped 16 points from winning positions.

Arsenal have also conceded three or more goals on eight occasions this season, and Wenger has called for his side to “toughen up” at the back.

"We have to add something defensively as a team to be more ruthless. Once you are two up at West Ham United and you finish 3-3, you question the team defensively" Arsene Wenger

“We had a problem at home and dropped too many points against teams that played deep,” the manager said. “We didn't manage to score enough goals and our deficit is there. Our defensive record is strange because we had 15 clean sheets which is good.

“But when we conceded we really conceded. In the big games away from home we conceded three at Liverpool, three at Manchester United and three at West Ham. It was nearly always in positions where we were in the lead, which makes it difficult to win the league then.

“We have to add something defensively as a team to be more ruthless. Once you are two up at West Ham United and you finish 3-3, you question the team defensively.

“We also gave cheap goals away against Manchester United because we were not strong enough defensively and were punished for it. I don't think we are soft but yes, we need to toughen up. In some games we were caught, but a lot of the teams have the same problem.”