Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has claimed that Arsenal need to address their defensive problems if they are to push for the top four next season by making three more signings this summer.
The Gunners’ legend believes that boss Unai Emery should make the signings of two new defenders and a defensive midfielder a priority in this summer’s transfer window if they are to stand any chance of pushing for a top four finish.
“For me, it would be the top four [the aim]. You’ve got to progress on the season before and we were out of the top four and we were getting left behind by quite a few of the big clubs,” Seaman said, as quoted on ESPN.
“We need to regroup, have a little restructure of the team and then push on, get into the Champions League again and try and improve on that each season. It’s not going to be easy because the big guns are quite a way ahead at the moment.”
The Gunners’ sole defensive addition in this transfer window is the capture of Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free from Serie A outfit Juventus, with a deal for Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos said by the Telegraph to be close.
Arsenal finished in 6th place last season, missing out on a Champions League place for the second successive season.
Seaman proceeded to tell ESPN: “We need steel in the team, we need a couple of defenders, dominant defenders and a dominant defensive midfield player.
“I think the forward side of it, you can leave that alone because we’ve got a lot of firepower there. I’m just a little worried about the defence and the art of defending.”
OPINION
The fact Arsenal have been left out of the top four for the second season in a row is rather worrying for a club of their calibre, who are used to playing Champions League football. However, this is their own fault for not having top level defenders at their disposal, meaning clumsy goals are conceded. Seaman is right in saying they need to sign some defenders and a midfielder – Arsenal appear weak in this area at the moment and could do with defensive stability. The gap between them and Manchester City is startling, showing the club’s demise as a top level club. Lower teams in the Premier League do not fear them anymore and know they are capable of beating them by taking advantage of their lazy defending. Arsene Wenger never had the funds available to him to make world class defensive signings, and this is clearly evident in the team that Emery has inherited. Emery needs to dip into the defensive pool, and reassure the fans that the club will be competing for a top four finish in the next campaign.