legend David Seaman believes his old side must qualify for the this season in order to keep their best players.
The Gunners have made big improvements under Mikel Arteta this term and are chasing down a top four spot along with and .
However, Seaman – who was Arsenal’s No.1 goalkeeper for over a decade – thinks a place at Europe’s top table is the only way to hold on to young starlets like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, whose performances have attracted attention from other elite clubs.
Speaking on , he said: ‘If we don’t get into Europe then what is going to happen? Money buys players and these big clubs have got it. Would Arsenal be able to turn it down? It’s difficult.
‘You know they went through that when they built the stadium. They sold a lot of their really good players. And we don’t want to go near that again because it would be a really long time before we’re anywhere near in contention for the league.’
Arsenal last won the Premier League in 2004 under Arsene Wenger when the Frenchman’s team remained unbeaten for the entire season.
Since that squad – the ‘Invincibles’ – Gunners fans have watched few Arsenal sides challenge for the title and Seaman considers this current lot still short of being able to compete for the top-flight’s crown.
‘You’ve got to be realistic,’ he said. ‘We’re not there yet. The only we can hope for is doing a Leicester. Where you get one season full of confidence and the momentum gets going.
‘Can you see Arsenal doing that? Yes you can. But at the moment you’ve got , Liverpool and are close. The rest of us are far behind. It’s quite a gap when you look at it. When you look at the squads of the top three, the players on their benches, they walk into any team below them.
‘We’re close to Chelsea but not that close. Until we can get a squad of quality international players, even for the bench. You still need that mix of experience.’
The lack of depth in Arsenal’s squad has been highlighted in recent weeks by the number of academy players named on their bench and their struggles to cover first-team injuries.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving the club in January to join Barcelona has not helped matters and has left Arteta particularly short in the striker department.
‘Arsenal definitely need to strengthen (in the summer),’ Seaman said. ‘Arsenal are desperate for a top quality striker definitely after the Aubameyang situation.
‘Arsenal need players in more than what Chelsea need players. For Arsenal to get to the next level they need a striker and possibly two more players.’
The north London side currently sit fifth in the Premier League, level on points with Tottenham but with a game in hand.
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