EXPERIENCE KEY TO NIGE

NIGEL WINTERBURN has urged Arsenal’s experienced stars to pull their weight.

The Gunners could only manage a disappointing eighth-place finish last term and they started this season with a whimper with a 2-0 loss at Brentford.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has an exciting crop of young players on his books and Winterburn, who made over 400 appearances for the club and won three league titles with the Gunners, says it’s the older stars who need to step up.

“The youngsters have displayed the right level of performance,” said the former left-back.

“Others must reach their level or the manager won’t be happy and will rotate the squad.

“But the problem is that this Arsenal squad is not good enough to rotate.

“It’s imperative to get the combination between youth and experience right. If you’re good enough, age doesn’t make a difference so it’s pleasing to see young players in the squad. They play with no fear and with freedom as they are not often criticised.

“I didn’t judge Bukayo Saka’s performance when he came on from the bench against Brentford – he didn’t get a lot of time and had just come back from the Euros.

“However, I expect him back in the starting XI against Chelsea. He was a bright spark last season, along with Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe, who we must keep fit.”

Chelsea visit The Emirates this afternoon having eased past Crystal Palace last weekend.

And Winterburn has warned Arsenal they are a long way behind their London rivals.

“The gulf is huge at the moment,” he added. “Chelsea brought in Thomas Tuchel and it’s incredible to see how much he’s achieved in such a short period of time. Chelsea are on another level.”