Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Graeme Souness both believe that Arsenal lack experience heading into the new Premier League campaign, with the former claiming there is still a "softness" to the group. It comes after the Gunners missed out on a top four finish last season in a tight race with rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
It means the side won't be making a return to the Champions League this season and will instead be competing in the Europa League as they continue their battle to return to the top European stage. Mikel Arteta has looked to improve his squad in quality and depth to do that, spending over £100million on five new arrivals so far.
With the market closing in just one month, the Spaniard has hinted at more movements to come: "We’re still hoping to do something else if the market allows us to do that.
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"You've seen some movement in the other direction in the last few days so we want to get the perfect balance and the plan we wanted right at the beginning. Whether we can accomplish that or not is another story, but I’m happy with where we are now."
There is a sense of excitement surrounding the Gunners heading into the new season, with their first trip away at Crystal Palace this Friday. However, some are less convinced about the squad for the months ahead, with Keane and Souness agreeing on one major factor.
Speaking on the Sky Bet debate about Arsenal, Keane said: "But there’s still a softness to the group, they’re young, you need experience lads to get you over the line in big games but there’s a softness to them. Even the two centre-halves."
Micah Richards tried to add a point about the process at the club, claiming: "I would still trust the process with Arsenal, with the young kids they’ve got. Saka, Smith-Rowe. I have faith in the young players."
However, Souness was quick to reply and said: "Is the process faith in young players? If that’s your process you’ll have to wait for success." with Keane quickly joking after: "Because you know what? You win nothing with kids."
The former Liverpool man then claimed the side weren't quite a "young team", to which the ex-Manchester United captain said: "You need some good young players and some experienced lads to help along the course. But Arsenal don’t have that either."
It remains to be seen whether that factor will decide the difference between a return to the Champions League or missing out once again. The Gunners have already outperformed expectations once, but with those constantly raising, they will have to go one better.
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