With Arsenal’s match against Barcelona quickly approaching, Dani Alves revealed why he believes the Gunners haven’t won the title in so long.

It’s been over a decade since we last won the Premier League. Although, I’m pretty sure just about everyone is aware of that by now.

Barcelona full-back, Alves, reckons it’s because our team over the last 10 years has been young and inexperienced.

“Being such a young team they sometimes lack maturity and the experience that’s necessary to get to the line,” he said to The Times.

“In the Premier League they start well, but it costs them more to maintain that level and get titles. They treat the ball very well and are very organised, tactically, but there is not a mixture of youth and experience. 

“The young people want to attack but there are times when you have to control the game.”

505906388 dani alves of fc barcelola reacts during the gettyimages
BILBAO, SPAIN – JANUARY 20: Dani Alves of FC Barcelola reacts during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final First Leg match between Athletic Club and FC Barcelola at San Mames Stadium on January 20, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

I don’t think anyone can argue that we don’t have experience or maturity in our side now. However, as with most pundits, I’m not sure how much Alves has actually watched us this season. In the past perhaps his comments were true but now we have several players in the likes the Petr Cech, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny who can be leaders on the pitch.

In addition, the reason we may have had to rely on our younger squad members over the years is because the funds weren’t there to buy experience so we had to develop our own – something which is now paying off.