Arsenal’s kids can’t be called kids anymore

Arsenal have the youngest squad in the Premier League. That’s probably already well established to fans of the division, because they are told it almost every week.

But it’s true, and it’s very relevant.

Mikel Arteta and co have assembled a squad with a lower average age than any other in the top-flight, and that comes with its fair share of ups and downs.

The obvious downside is the lack of experience and inevitable issues with consistency. Players who’ve been playing at the highest level for six or seven years have a greater understanding of the demands and are usually at their physical peak. Arsenal’s squad is more than three years younger on average than Liverpool’s, for example.

Arsenal’s kids can’t be called kids anymore with Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe and Martinelli already such exceptional and mature talents

On the plus side, there is energy in abundance, and malleable tactical minds that absorb information and can implement those ideas onto the pitch in a natural manner. From the fans’ point of view, it’s also a lot easier to like the young players whose first ‘big’ club might be Arsenal. There is a greater sense of belonging.

The kids are, indeed, alright.

But while compared to their league counterparts they may classify as such, and will also have less experience than most, these are top level players who do boast their fair share of exposure in this sport.

Martin Odegaard has just turned 23 years old, but he’s been playing since he was 15. Bukayo Saka is a full England international with over 100 career appearances. Aaron Ramsdale has nearly 100 Premier League outings as a goalkeeper and he’s also only 23 years old. Those are huge numbers.

If Arsenal are to lose a match, the idea that it’s due to this young team is still developing rings true, but it can no longer be used as an excuse. While Gabriel Martinelli and Saka have limitless potential, they just rinsed Manchester City’s full-backs and neither have turned 21 yet. It’s incredible to stop and contemplate that. These are talents who despite having new levels they can reach are already exceptional players.

Where the inexperience and ‘kids’ tag can be attributed is in the team’s bonding. This Arsenal side as fans see it now has only played 17 or so Premier League matches together. The inexperience can come from not being fully understood as a unit.

None of which is criticism, however; and in fact the total opposite.

The likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Saka, Martinelli, Odegaard, Ramsdale et al are at such a level where their age almost becomes a non-factor. The old adage of if you’re good enough, you’re old enough, rings true.

None of these players show any fear against any opponent. There is where inexperience may be used as a mitigating factor. These are incredibly professional young men going toe to toe with their more experienced counterparts and more often than not coming out on top. They deserve to be mentioned in the same breath.

They are, of course, still young and with room to develop. They are, by definition in football, kids. What they aren’t, however, is showing it.