Emmanuel Petit has urged Arsenal to scrap their academy policy which he argues is hindering his former clubs progress. The Gunners have seen their quest for silverware suffer a huge blow this week, following consecutive FA Cup and Champions League defeats to Watford and Barcelona.A first Premier League title in 12 seasons is the only trophy available to Arsene Wengers side, although they find themselves 11 points behind leaders Leicester with just nine games to play. And Petit, who has also called for Wenger to step away from the dugout in favour of an advisory position at the Emirates, believes an over-reliance on youth is to blame for the north London clubs failure to win titles consistently in recent years.Arsenals academy policy is very good, up until a certain point - there is a limit, Petit told Sky Sports. There are a lot of players coming from the academy who are good but they have failed to improve over the last three or four years. Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain criticised by former Gunner Emmanuel Petit This has been a big disappointment for me. Players like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere are constantly injured and they are not improving.They are good, but not that good, that is why they need something else in the dressing room. Could Arsenal make a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Well Arsene Wenger says hes focusing on the end of the season before thinking about signing players Asked what Arsenal were lacking, Petit added: If you want to exceed this limit [of the academy], you have to bring in experienced players - big names, big characters, players with winning mentality.They need to bring leaders into this team. They have quality, no doubt, they have big players but not enough. They need leaders, big characters and players that hate to be beaten and love to win - not only games but titles.With Arsenal burdened by the costs of building the Emirates Stadium over the past decade, the club have arguably been forced to build their academy rather than pursuing big-money signings.However, the acquisition of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in recent seasons, coupled with reports the club have £175m in cash reserves, may suggest a turn in the tide at Arsenal, and Petit wants them to continue spending. Young players have failed to improve at Arsenal, according to Petit There are only two options for Arsenal, Petit added. Either they keep on doing what theyre doing, adding experienced players to the youth coming through, or they use the money they have.In the last few years we have seen Arsenal performing well on the pitch but not winning titles, with the exception two FA Cups.They fail at the final step every time, at this crucial time of the season. That means they need something to improve the closing stages of the season. That, for me, would be spending the money.Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all spending money on top players to improve their team and results.Catch the full interview with Emmanuel Petit live on Soccer Saturday, 12pm, Sky Sports 1 HD Also See: Henry on Arsenal title hopes Wenger plays down Ibra link Everton v Arsenal preview Mersons predictions Lonnie Johnson Womens Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Justin Reid Youth Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans-Tytus-Howard-Jersey/ . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Kahale Warring Youth Jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. Andre Johnson Womens Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. CHICAGO -- Penn State coach James Franklin sees an improved team in Happy Valley -- and a program that cant escape the shadow cast by the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.Franklin made some pointed comments about negative recruiting against the Nittany Lions, saying there are issues that need to be addressed possibly at the conference level.I think theres a fine line to that, he said at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. I think some things need to be addressed. I do think theres a line you do not cross. But I guess in some ways thats the nature of the beast. I think some people are going to look for weaknesses and try to take advantage of those. But to me, there is a line that you do not cross. Well see how that whole thing plays out. There is a time and a place for everything.Franklins comments came in the wake of recently disclosed allegations from men who have accused Sandusky of sexual abuse that raised fresh questions about what his fellow Penn State assistant coaches might have seen or known before his November 2011 arrest -- and why they have largely kept quiet. The allegations have also raised questions about just how far back late coach Joe Paterno became aware of the situation.Negative recruiting happens all over the country. Everyone is dealing with it, Franklin said.But other programs arent dealing with a situation like this one. Franklin said Nittany Lions coaches probably have to answer more tough questions than any other staff, particularly on the recruiting trail.When reports surface, he said he calls recruits as well as their families and coaches to answer questions they might have about the direction of the program.And he made a point to say Monday that it is headed in the right direction. Now that they are free of sanctions and back to the full 85 scholarships, Franklin insisted the Nittany Lions are ready to make a jump after going 7-6 and making bowl games each of his first two seasons.Theres very few programs that would have been able to come through what weve come through with the tyype of success that weve had, two bowl games in a row, he said.dddddddddddd. Never had a losing season through the challenges. So theres positives there to build on.But can he lead the Nittany Lions back toward the top of a conference with no shortage of big-name coaches.Michigan in particular has huge expectations after regaining its swagger and going 10-3 in Jim Harbaughs first season.We have big hopes, Harbaugh said. Weve got big dreams. Weve got lofty goals. And all those are achievable. And they have to be worked for. You can accomplish anything if the work is realized. And those things have to be earned. So we are in the position right now to work to get the things we want. Thats the fact. Thats the mentality. Thats the attitude.Wolverines tight end Jake Butt sees a team with no major weaknesses.Weve got an experienced offensive line, weve got an experienced run game, weve got a proven run game, he said. We have a defense that we know we can trust. Weve got special teams that we know are going to put us in great positions. Theyre all little pieces of the puzzle that come together.While Ohio State lost 16 starters, J.T. Barrett is returns for his junior season with a 15-2 record and the knowledge that he is the No. 1 quarterback after losing out to Cardale Jones last year and then replacing him.Barrett and Iowa cornerback Desmond King -- the 2015 Thorpe Award winner as the countrys top defensive back -- highlighted the preseason all-Big Ten selections on Monday.Barrett was selected to the East Division team along with Michigan defensive back Jabrill Peppers, Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell, Ohio State linebacker Raekwon McMillan and Penn State running back Saquon Barkley by a media panel. Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard and King, Northwestern running back Justin Jackson and linebacker Anthony Walker, and Wisconsin running back Corey Clement were the West picks. ' ' '