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 at least one Champions League before Mikel Arteta's new contract expires in 2030.
Arsenal won their first league title in 22 years back in May, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City. The Gunners also reached the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals last season, though they were beaten by PSG and Man City respectively.
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Speaking to Betway, as relayed by football.london, the former Arsenal goalkeeper laid out his expectations for the rest of Arteta's deal.
“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,” Seaman said. “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.”
Seaman also welcomed news of Arteta's new contract, which runs until 2030. “I'm so glad that he signed the new contract because he adds stability to the club,” he said. “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 on the summer window and the striker debate
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. The Gunners were also persistently linked with Vinicius Junior as a left winger but failed to land one before the window closed.
“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.”
Seaman then turned to the ongoing debate over Arsenal's central striker options, weighing up Kai Havertz against Viktor Gyokeres. “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.
On Gyokeres specifically, Seaman pointed to a pattern in the Swede's international form. “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's long term future now settled, the pressure shifts to delivering on expectations that have only grown since last season's title win.
