Turning things around at the Emirates has not been an easy task for Mikel Arteta, and while some former legends of the North London club have already acknowledged that, it is time for the team's board to back their boss if he ends up getting the club back to European competitions for next season.
Speaking to the PA Agency, former goalkeeper David Seaman admitted that Arsenal's season under Arteta has been a bit rocky, but in the end, the Spaniard has delivered some good moments for the crowd. In his condition as one of the Gunners' legends, Seaman urged the team's owners to give Arteta the right tools to turn the franchise around if they end up nabbing the FA Cup title this Saturday.
"We need that European qualification. Not just for the club, but also to attract other players as well. I am sure Arteta has got plans to bring players in. I just hope the board backs him on what he wants and who he wants, because in Mikel Arteta we have got a really good manager and you don't want to lose someone like that just because the board won't back him or give him money to spend," Seaman stated.
The retired shot-stopper revealed that he was not a fan of Arteta, but he added how the former midfielder managed to change his mind on the long run.
"When he first joined I was a little bit disappointed because I thought they might have gone with Patrick Vieira because of his time at the club and also his experience, he's been a manager elsewhere. But when I saw his first interview I was like, 'Woah, this guy knows what he wants'. To do what he has done, I think he has done a great job and that is why the club and the board need to back him," Seaman added.
Seaman concluded the interview by sharing how relevant this game will be to the Gunners to save what has been an inconsistent season.
"It's a huge game for Arsenal. We need it far more than Chelsea because we need that European place. To end a season where we are eighth in the league and no European football is not a very good season at all for Arsenal's standards. We really need it," Seaman concluded.
