Arsenal Women season review - Cup final triumph, West Ham blow, Lotte Wubben-Moy brilliance

The 2023/24 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Arsenal.

The Gunners, as they did last term, finished in third place, securing Champions League qualification ahead of the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool. They also clinched another piece of silverware after toppling Chelsea in the Continental League Cup final.

But while there have been flashes of promise - including doing a league double over Manchester City and beating Chelsea 4-1 at the Emirates - it's hard to escape the feeling Jonas Eidevall's side failed to reach their full potential this season.

With the WSL transfer window set to open on June 24 and the clock already ticking down towards next term, here is football.london's comprehensive Arsenal 2023/24 season review:

READ MORE: Chelsea and England defender's star is rising after X-rated Emma Hayes rant

READ MORE: Arsenal must crown Vivianne Miedema's heir after Barcelona star 'agrees' summer transfer

Season score: 6/10

Considering Arsenal finished the season inside the European spots and won a trophy, it might seem a little harsh to score their campaign a six out of 10. However, the Gunners boast one of the best squads in the Women's Super League (WSL) and, as such, the fact they were essentially out of the title race two months before the end of the season, coupled with their disappointing runs in the FA Cup and the Champions League, mean the campaign has to be regarded as a little bit of a disappointment.

Player of the Season: Lotte Wubben-Moy

Arsenal's assignment this season has admittedly been made more difficult by changes to their backline. Vice-captain Leah Williamson only returned to action in late January after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and has spent the past few months slowly working her way back to full fitness. With Brazilian defender Rafaelle Souza having left the club last summer and new signing Laia Codina taking a little bit of time to find her feet, it is Wubben-Moy who has had to shoulder the Gunners' defensive load. And the 25-year-old delivered the most impressive individual season of her career so far to ensure her team finished inside the Champions League places.

Highlight: Conti Cup final win

Having beaten Chelsea to win the Conti Cup in 2023, the Gunners were looking to repeat history in this year's final at Molineux Stadium. The game wasn't a classic and Arsenal were dealt a major blow when midfielder Frida Maanum collapsed on the pitch in the first half. But, to their credit, Eidevall's side battled on and snatched the win thanks to an instinctive finish from Stina Blackstenius in extra time. It was a record-extending seventh triumph in the competition for Arsenal and the celebrations in Wolverhampton showed exactly how much it meant to all of the players.

Disappointment: West Ham United 2-1 Arsenal

When Alessia Russo put Arsenal ahead against West Ham back in February, it looked like it was going to be a routine WSL win for the Gunners. But a shoddy second-half display saw the hosts come from behind to claim the three points at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in what was a huge blow to Arsenal's title hopes. Eidevall's side largely performed very well against teams in the top five in 2023/24 but struggled against some of the teams further down the table and the defeat to West Ham, who ended the campaign in 11th place, was the prime example of that.

What comes next:

Next season promises to be a big one for Arsenal and it feels like Eidevall will need to mastermind a convincing title charge, plus oversee impressive runs in the cup competitions, to convince the club's decision-makers that he has what it takes to bring long-term success to North London. And it looks like the Gunners are set to bolster their ranks with the addition of Barcelona forward Mariona Caldentey, who has reportedly agreed a deal to join Arsenal this summer.