David Seaman tells Arsenal not to sell Granit Xhaka and names three areas they need to improve
Posted by  badge Boss on May 11, 2023 - 09:18AM
Granit Xhaka has been linked with an Arsenal exit this summer (Picture: Getty Images)

Arsenal legend David Seaman wants to see additions in defence, midfield and attack over the summer, while he also wants the Gunners to keep hold of Granit Xhaka.

and despite him being a key player for Mikel Arteta this season, the transfer remains a possibility.

Whether he remains part of the starting XI or not, Seaman does not want to see experienced players leave as Arsenal prepare to return to a campaign.

‘I don’t want us to be letting players who’ve played most games this season go,’ he explained on . ‘Even Xhaka, he’s had a great season, I don’t want to see experienced players like that leaving the club.

‘We still need him for a few more seasons, even if he doesn’t start he’s strength in depth, and that’s being harsh to him because he’s started most games this season anyway.

‘I would be surprised if that happened. The only way that happens is if they’ve got someone like [Declan] Rice already lined up.’

As well as holding onto Xhaka, Seaman wants to see new recruits over the summer, not necessarily to be starting players, but adding competition and back-up to the squad.

‘I’d be looking at defenders, a central defender and then possibly a more creative midfield player,’ said the former England goalkeeper. ‘In [Thomas] Partey, and Xhaka you’ve got three players there and their better jobs are holding midfield players, if we lost [Martin] Odegaard who would we have in there then?

‘[Fabio] Vieira is still developing and getting used to the , especially the physicality of the Premier League, so I think a creative midfield player.

‘[Back-up for Gabriel Jesus?] Yeah, I would say so. Is Martinelli still our top goal-scorer? A left-winger. I know Jesus has missed a lot of this season, but we need a striker that’s going to score goals, maybe 15-20 a season.

Gabriel Jesus has scored 10 goals so far in his first Arsenal season (Picture: Getty Images)

‘The input the rest of the lads have, they all get goals. Odegaard’s goal tally is fantastic, especially in the big games, Saka, Martinelli, they’re scoring regularly. But the actual strikers are not scoring regularly.

‘Defender, midfielder, striker, that’s like the spine of a team, but for me it’s backup, it’s not players that come in straight away and make a massive difference.’

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