Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes no signings last summer saw the Gunners fail to fight for the title, as they lacked in experience. The Frenchman told BBC:

Before the start of the 2008-09 season they made some mistakes in terms of transfer policy. I understand the transfer policy at the club, but when you’ve created a team you have to make an effort to keep it.

Let’s say I’m an Arsenal player. When I look back on last season I see we were magnificent. In the summer transfer market I see Chelsea, Liverpool and co spending millions to buy new players to build a stronger team, but when I look at my club they are spending almost nothing on new players and letting some key players go.

Now the young players are growing very fast, showing great attitude and great character on the pitch, but they are still missing experience. It seems they’ve got back the routine they had last year, but you can’t afford to be very good for six months and then average for three months when you want to win things.