Former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes thinks that Arsenal “will be even better” team next campaign.

With the Gunners having led the Premier League table until last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa, many Gunners’ fans are disappointed that their title challenge has started to unravel but Barnes doesn’t see things that way. Speaking to Genting Casino, Barnes said that Mikel Arteta’s side are still learning and he thinks fans should put aside their “unrealistic” expectations and remain patient that this team will come back even stronger in the future:

“I don’t know if the Villa defeat was [a] sign that these Arsenal players are under pressure in the title race. Arsenal are still a work in progress. They did so well last year – they were ten points ahead – and then all of a sudden… I always felt that they would fall away last year, which they did, because of that lack of experience. This year, I thought they would do better, but I didn’t think that this is a team that has got over last year, [that] they’re going to be perfect.”

“I think Arsenal have done better than expected. For Arsenal to be where they are now and still pushing for the title is a vast improvement on last year, and I think next year they will be even better when it comes to that consistency that all title-winning teams need at the latter stages of the Premier League season.”

“If anyone expected Arsenal to win the title because of what happened last year, then that was unrealistic. This is still a young team that are gaining experience all the time. Title-winning teams are well-worn. They grow. They keep the believe when things don’t go well – that takes time to build.”

Barnes is being rather dismissive

While you do get where Barnes is coming from to some extent, it isn’t right to completely dismiss Arsenal’s title ambitions this season. While there was a wobble at the turn of the year, this team has (by and large) been in and around top spot for most of the campaign.

Arteta’s men have shown real grit and determination in games against their title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, having picked up eight points from their four fixtures against them. They have also been impressive in racking up the goals against lesser teams. For all intents and purposes, they have demonstrated their title credentials.

Arsenal can still improve

Where Barnes is correct, though, is the fact that this Gunners team is still very young and they have the potential to be even more formidable in future seasons.

Considering how close they have gotten to winning the Premier League title over the past couple of years, though, fans have every right to be disappointed if they don’t finish in 1st place.