AFTER reflecting on his first season at Middlesbrough, Julio Arca is happy with life at the Riverside Stadium, but the midfielder feels he still has more to offer.

While Middlesbrough's form has been blighted by inconsistency, Arca has been one of Gareth Southgate's more dependable performers.

Even after playing in several different roles, the 26-year-old has been one of the highlights during a campaign in which Boro have underachieved.

Indeed, his form has even had Southgate championing Arca's call for an Argentina call-up.

And, despite being content with his contribution following his summer move from North-East rivals Sunderland, Arca is setting his standards higher for next season.

"In general I think I have done well, but obviously I want to do even better next season," said Arca. "I've enjoyed my first season at Middlesbrough, but as a player you're always looking to improve."

Arca was Southgate's first signing as Boro boss when he moved from Sunderland in a £1.75m deal in July last year.

Signed provisionally as a left-back, Southgate's decision to play Arca centrally as part of a five-man midfield proved a masterstroke.

And in the majority of games played since, Arca has operated in the centre of a four-man midfield.

"The position has been new to me," admitted Arca. "I have played as well as I can there and I have enjoyed the challenge.

"No matter what position I play, I am always looking to do well in the team and I am happy with what I've achieved."

Middlesbrough ensured Premiership safety with Saturday's win at Wigan Athletic.

Arca was man of the match at the JJB Stadium and now the midfielder wants to end the season on a positive note when Fulham visit the Riverside on Sunday.

"It's important now that we finish as high as possible and it would be good to pick up another three points against Fulham," said Arca. "We didn't start the season as well as we'd have liked, but we played a lot better over the Christmas period.

"We have slipped in the last five or six weeks, but at least we got what we wanted at Wigan and that was the three points."

But, in a season where a UEFA Cup spot was the objective, Arca feels Boro will need to address their frailties if they are to make a renewed assault next season.

Having held Premiership champions Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford only last month, it's Boro's failure to earn points elsewhere that has caused Arca most frustration in his first campaign on Teesside.

He said: "We have shown in some games what we're capable of. We were unlucky not to beat Manchester United and then everybody was very disappointed with the Tottenham game.

"We lost against Manchester City and Aston Villa, but they are the kind of games we should be looking to win.

"These type of games (against Wigan) make you work hard and that's what he did. In the end we've come away with the three points which is the most important thing."

Andrew Taylor underwent toe surgery yesterday and will miss the final game of the season.