Mikel Arteta is pleased with the progress made by Arsenal this season, but says financial backing is imperative if the club are to push on next season.
The Gunners enter the final round of Premier League fixtures sitting fifth in the table, two points adrift of fierce rivals Tottenham in the final Champions League spot.
Arsenal's fate had been in their own hands prior to losing back-to-back matches against Spurs and Newcastle United without scoring a goal.
They now need to beat Everton at Emirates Stadium on Sunday and hope that Tottenham fail to win away at already relegated Norwich City.
A fifth-placed finish would still mark Arsenal's best season in three years, though, and Arteta – who signed a new deal earlier this month – is eager to focus on the positives.
"It’s been a long journey and a very challenging one this season but I think we have come a long way as a club," he said at Friday's pre-match news conference.
"As a team I think we have transformed the energy of the club and we’ve done it together. Now I can sense I have the support to take the next step.
"We are back in Europe, hopefully it will be the Champions League, and we want to take the club to the next level.
"We have a clear plan. We need resources and we need to improve the quality and the depth of the squad."
Arsenal have been linked with a number of players ahead of the transfer window opening, with reports on Friday suggesting Marquinhos is close to finalising terms.
While Arteta was unwilling to confirm his interest in Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, the Spaniard is confident he will get the chance to strengthen his squad.
"When there is a player to announce in the next few weeks, we'll be dealing with that then," he said when asked specifically about Marquinhos.
"We are going to have certain resources, not unlimited resources, certain resources.
"We don't know what the rest are going to have, which I assume is going to be challenging because now it’s not a top three, it’s a top eight.
"This club's history is to be the best in this country. It takes time to get there."
Arsenal have avoided defeat in their final league game in the past 16 seasons, winning the last 10 of those, while at home they are unbeaten on the final weekend since 1992-93.
However, they have lost their past three league games with Everton and are aiming to avoid four losses in a row against them in the competition for the first time since 1924.
Everton make the trip to London with little to play for on the face of it after confirming Premier League safety with a 3-2 victory win against Crystal Palace on Thursday.
For the first time ever, @Everton have won a #PL match in which they trailed by two or more goals at half-time
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 20, 2022
It was their 75th attempt, having previously lost 69 and drawn 5#EVECRY pic.twitter.com/K9rGb0ZC0y
That impressive comeback was somewhat overshadowed, though, as Palace boss Patrick Vieira was involved in an altercation when Everton fans ran onto the pitch at full-time.
Merseyside Police and the Football Association are investigating, and Arteta wants to see an end to pitch invasions following a number of high-profile recent incidents.
"We have to stop it and we have to minimise the risk and exposure of players and staff in this situation," he said.
"You cannot control it. When there are so many people involved it becomes dangerous."
