Mikel Arteta may have spotted key issue with his young 'uncertain' Arsenal squad

Arsenal moved into the Champions League spots this weekend with a 3-2 win over Watford, but the victory may have highlighted a key issue in their squad.

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring for the Gunners after just five minutes before Roy Hodson's side hit back through Juan Hernandez six minutes later.

Winger Bukayo Saka then put Arsenal back in front by rounding off a neat passing move by Mikel Arteta's side in the 30th minute.

Gabriel Martinelli then looked like he may have put the game to bed in the 52nd minute when he capped off a brilliant passing move with a strike straight into the top corner as Arsenal dominated proceedings heading into the final few minutes of the game.

However, an 87th-minute goal from former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Moussa Sissoko meant that it was a nervy finish for the North London outfit, and a sign of where Arteta's side must improve moving forward.

Despite having a two-goal advantage and looking in no real danger, Arsenal were still taking risks in possession and eventually were punished.

Speaking to Arsenal Media after the game, Arteta highlighted the issue: "A lot of positive things in our general play, the chances we created, we scored some great goals, but we didn't have total control of the game and I'm not happy with that.

"Once we scored the third one I think we should have played a completely different game. We didn't manage to take control of the game to play the right passes in the right areas.

"We were rushed, we were broken [against], we were in transition moments where we didn't finish the actions, we had transition moments against us and that creates physically a very demanding game, which you could see in some players."

The infuriated manager added: "As well, the uncertainty that if they scored a goal then the game was on."

Arteta has built a squad full of young players and it is part of the club's long-term strategy to have a squad that it is going to develop and improve under the Spaniard as time goes by.

However, the downfall of bringing players through the academy and signing young prospects is that those stars lack experience, they don't have the know-how to change tactics and see a game out.

Arsenal's £150million spending spree in the summer on players aged 24 and under is already proving a success, but Arteta may be tempted to bring in a player or two above that age threshold.

Even if the former Everton midfielder doesn't feel the 'elder' players warrant a spot in the starting eleven, the ability to bring on a more experienced head in the closing stages of a game cannot be understated.

With Alexandre Lacazette, one of the oldest players at the Emirates, out of contract at the end of the season, the average age of Arteta's squad is set to fall again and it is a matter that Arteta must consider solving.

If the Gunners want to regain their status as a regular in the top four then they will ensure they are capable of seeing out results, otherwise, up against sides stronger than relegation-battling Watford, they will drop points over the course of a season.