Arsenal should prioritise signing a backup for Bukayo Saka alongside a top striker, says David Seaman.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been relatively lax in the transfer window so far, securing the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya and a £42million deal for Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori. A new midfielder seems to be next up, with a move for Real Sociedad ace Mikel Merino progressing.
A striker is also on the agenda, with a Erling Haaland-esque signing perhaps the final piece of Arsenal’s title-winning puzzle. However, legendary goalkeeper David Seaman believes that Saka needs a deputy waiting in the wings to relieve pressure on the 22-year-old.
“I’d like to see some sort of backup for Saka,” Seaman told Betway. “At the end last season, we saw when Bukayo was out, Martinelli went onto the right side, and he’s a right footer.
“It didn’t work as well because they like to show down the right and then cut inside. It didn’t work because we didn’t have cover for Saka.”
Athletic Club’s Nico Williams has been tentatively linked with a move to the Emirates this summer, although the Gunners seem to be prioritising targets like Merino. However, a deal is yet to be agreed with Real Sociedad, with both the structure of the deal and the fee involved proving stumbling blocks.
With Emile Smith Rowe having left to join Fulham, plus Reiss Nelson linked with a move away, Arsenal find themselves short out wide, particularly if Saka suffers an injury. The Gunners have also been linked with a move for a new centre-forward, with Ivan Toney and Viktor Gyokeres among those mentioned in connection with a switch to the Emirates.
“Then the question mark’s always about a striker,” added Seaman. “Do we need a striker? Do we need a Haaland-type? There was a lot of talk with Toney coming, and then they were chasing another striker but that’s not worked out.
“I think it gives different options to what they’ve got. But then, [Gabriel] Jesus, if he has a season without injury, put him in the box, and he’s one of the best.”
Jesus’s own future has been up for discussion this summer after amid links with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia. But, after impressing in pre-season, it seems the Brazilian is staying put and will challenge Kai Havertz.
“He really is one of the best,” Seaman continued in discussion about Jesus. “He’s so calm. City did it without a striker before Haaland, and that’s what Mikel’s probably looking at.
“I’d like to see a striker and a backup for Bukayo. Midfield, for me, seems OK. I think Partey will be staying now because there was talk of him leaving. He needs a long, injury-free season as well.”
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