I agree with your first point entirely. You seem to be right where you were previously; a couple or three short of truly making a title challenge. I reckon and hope(as a closet second team Arsenal fan) you make a couple more signings. M'villa would be great for you as well as another striker a Llorente or Cavani would be awesome and both guarantee top four and give you guys a real good shot at it.
Thank you for pointing out that, indeed, that statement made no grammatical sense. I heartily concur and will endeavour to form my syntax in a much more disciplined manner in future.
RVP was never offered a new contract even when he was reportedly wavering after Cazorla, Podolski and Giroud came in. He was being replaced before the season was over. Song had 3 years left on his contract and wanted to stay. I think that if Wenger had really wanted to keep both of them, he could have.