Arsenal winger Theo Walcott insists that it is time for the Gunners to stop using the excuse of youth as the reason for not winning any trophies.
Arsene Wenger's side sustained a reasonable Premier League title challenge for most of the season but fell short once again in the end, and exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage to Barcelona.
With no success in either domestic cup competition, it means that the 'trophy drought' at the Emirates was extended by another season, and Walcott feels that the time has come for the club's youngsters to come of age.
"We can't use the experience as an excuse now, with the experiences we've had as a side," the England winger told Sky Sports News.
"We need to go that one step further.
"It's been quite hard at times. We had a lot of inuries to big players and it's been very frustrating.
"Myself as well, I've had a lot of injuries this season.
"People say if we'd had Robin [van Persie] we'd have had a bit more of a chance and I'm pretty sure if we'd had him we would have had more of a chance."
Despite the injuries, Walcott has been impressed with the way in which some players have stepped in to the side and acquitted themselves well.
"Nicklas Bendtner's done fantastically well. He's scored goals and that's what you'll be judged on," the winger added.
"We had a lot of defensive problems as well, but the likes of Sol [Campbell] came in and did a great job.
"So it's one of those things where we need to hopefully try and look after ourselves a bit better and there's a different side when you're off the pitch and we have to look after ourselves and not suffer so many injuries."
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