In his first full season as boss, Jackie McNamara guided Thistle to a sixth-place finish in the Irn-Bru First Division.
However, they finished only nine points behind runners- up Dundee.
And the experienced Archibald has insisted that the title is there for the taking next term.
He said: "I think anybody could win it. You only need to look at Ross County. Last season they were champions, the year before they were nearly relegated.
"Raith Rovers ran Dunfermline close two years ago, too. The important thing is to get a good start. It's a very tough league to get out of.
"Last year, the gaffer was under a bit of pressure because it was his first season in the job.
"Most of the squad last season were playing in the First Division for the first time. Now the manager has brought in a bit of extra experience.
"We've got a lot of young players, and only a few older ones. Having Hugh Murray added to the likes of David Rowson will help a lot."
Archibald, 34, is entering his 13th season at Firhill and has experience of life in the SPL from when the Jags were last in the top flight.
The stopper feels he and midfielder Rowson, 35, have a responsibility to help their younger team-mates.
Archie said: "The fact I did a bit of coaching last season helped, but David and I were the only players with any real experience.
"After me, the next-oldest guy is about 25 and there are a few 19 and 20-year-olds too.
"I think Jackie realised that we needed a couple more old heads and brought in Shuggy to help the younger guys along next time."
Archibald will coach the Thistle reserves next season after a spell in charge of the Under-19s and recently started his badges at Largs. He said: "It was good. There's a good bunch on the course. Simon Donnelly was doing it with me, and Mark Burchill and Duncan Ferguson were both in my group.
"I'm looking to see if I enjoy it. If I do, then I might keep it up. It's different and you need to change the way you think about things.
"Going into coaching was always in my thoughts. I did my cruciate at 29 and it's an eye-opener. That's kind of what kicked me into gear.
"Ever since I got injured, I have taken it a season at a time. Last season, I missed just two league games so I'll just try to play as many as I can this year and see what happens."
