Arsenal two signings away from being serious title challengers - Seaman

Patrick Gleeson

Arsenal two signings away from being serious title challengers - Seaman image

EXCLUSIVE

Arsene Wenger requires additional "top-class players" if Arsenal are to challenge for the Premier League title this season, according to former goalkeeper David Seaman.

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Wenger failed to guide the Gunners to a top-four finish last season for the first time in his 21 years of managing the club, ending the season 18 points behind eventual winners Chelsea in fifth.

And, ahead of the new campaign, the Frenchman looks set to lose his star player with Alexis Sanchez closing in on a move away from north London. 

Alexis has agreed terms with Manchester City following discussions with manager Pep Guardiola, but has also held talks with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. 

Wenger is determined to hold onto the Chile international despite the forward's desire to play Champions League football, but has added Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette to soften the blow should he lose his talisman.

And though the signing of Lacazette adds another dimension to Wenger's squad, Seaman believes the Frenchman is still two elite players from being serious title contenders.

"Arsenal need more players – more top-class players," Seaman told Goal.

"They’ve got Lacazette, which is a good signing, but I still think they need a couple more. Whether they are in the pipeline I don’t know.

"I think they need a central midfield player – a holding midfielder – a Patrick Vieira type midfield player. One with a lot of presence and strength, with the ability to control games like Patrick used to.

"Then maybe a centre-half. Mertesacker is coming back now – I watched him play last weekend, and he looked as good as ever. I don’t think he’ll ever look as good as he did in the FA Cup final, that was brilliant to watch, but with over 100 caps for Germany, we know he can play."

Seaman Vieira PS

Arsenal are without a Premier League title since the 2003-04 campaign, in which they remained unbeaten across their 38 league outings. 

Wenger has been under increasing pressure to deliver a league trophy since and has been the focus of vitriol from sections of the Emirates fan base for the past 12 months. 

Despite the protests and the fractured support, Wenger was awarded a new, two-year contract at the club following a third FA Cup in four seasons.

Asked what would represent a successful season for Arsenal, and indeed Wenger, in 2017-18, Seaman said: "Winning a trophy is always a successful season. And being in the top four.

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"For Arsenal to win the league, I feel they're a few players short, looking at other squads. I think they just need a couple.

"They’ve been there or there abouts for a long time now but never been in with a really good chance in the last few weeks of the season – so adding a couple of players might change that."

David Seaman is the Brand Ambassador and leads the judging panel for SpottoCash, a spot-the-ball competition for the digital generation. Visit spottocash.com for details.

Patrick Gleeson