Seaman predicts two more Premier Leagues and a Champions League for Arteta
David Seaman believes Arsenal should win the Premier League twice more and lift the Champions League at least once before Mikel Arteta's new contract expires in 2030.
Arsenal won their first league title in 22 years in May, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City, while also reaching the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals before losing to PSG and Man City respectively. With Arteta having now committed his future to the club, the former Arsenal goalkeeper has set out his expectations for the rest of the Spaniard's deal.
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Speaking to Betway, as reported by football.london, Seaman said: "I would like to have seen him win three or four, and maybe a Champions League as well, because he deserves that for the work that he's put in. When it wasn't going very well at Arsenal and there was a lot of criticism, there were a lot of people questioning the process. I was always positive and I could see on the training ground all the work that he was doing, and now people are seeing that."
He added: "I'm so glad that he signed the new contract because he adds stability to the club. The players like to see the same manager because you know where you stand with him. We've all seen it on the documentaries, the players are used to him and how he is in the dressing room, and they know how much he demands of them. His contract is until 2030, so I'll predict two more Premier Leagues and a Champions League."
Seaman surprised by lack of wing reinforcement
Arsenal spent heavily again over the summer, bringing in Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie on a permanent deal after his loan, and Christos Tzolis. Tzolis arrived following the departures of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, with Arsenal having also been persistently linked with Vinicius Junior without landing a second left sided option.
"A little bit surprised they didn't bring in maybe one more, but in Tzolis it looks like they've got a like for like replacement for Trossard, if not a little bit better," Seaman said. "He's still got a lot to prove because Trossard was capable of coming on as a big impact substitution and scoring some big goals."
The Gyokeres and Havertz debate
Seaman also weighed in on Arsenal's long running centre forward conundrum, comparing Kai Havertz's tendency to drop deep with Viktor Gyokeres' scoring record on international duty with Sweden.
"Everybody still looks at the striker situation, and that's a tough one because in Kai Havertz you've got a really intelligent footballer, but is he an out-and out striker? He likes to drop off a lot more," he said. "Then with Viktor Gyokeres it's weird because as soon as he goes away with Sweden, he scores goals. Maybe we don't play to his strengths as much as we should. You know he can score goals, he's proven it, it's just that he's not been getting the chances."
With Arteta tied down for the long term, the pressure will now be on to convert last season's domestic breakthrough into sustained success on multiple fronts.
