Arsenal currently have no shortage of young players pushing for first-team opportunities.

Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman, regular midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly, and defender Cristhian Mosquera are among the emerging talents available to Mikel Arteta.

However, the Gunners manager opted for a different formula for this evening’s Champions League meeting away at Napoli.

Arteta appeared to prioritise experience over youth at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with two 30-year-olds — Mikel Merino and David Raya — included in the starting line-up.

In fact, Arsenal had not named an older side than this one since the days of Arsène Wenger in charge.

Could that be another indication of the north London club’s youth-focused recruitment policy taking effect?