Arsenal legend David Seaman has declared that Mikel Arteta deserves a statue outside the Emirates Stadium if he leads the Gunners to Champions League glory, completing what would be the club's finest season. The former goalkeeper believes such an achievement would warrant the ultimate recognition for the manager, who has already ended Arsenal's 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
Title celebrations after long wait
The north London club secured their first league crown since 2004 on Tuesday night, following Manchester City's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth. The result sparked euphoric celebrations among players, staff, and thousands of fans gathered at the Emirates. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Jurrien Timber even completed a 5am lap of the stadium, posing for selfies with disbelieving supporters.
Arsenal have previously achieved the league and FA Cup double three times, and Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' won the title unbeaten, but the Champions League remains elusive. Wenger is one of six figures honoured with bronze statues at the Emirates, alongside Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Herbert Chapman, and Ken Friar.
Seaman's verdict on Arteta's legacy
When asked if Arteta could become the seventh if Arsenal overcome Paris St Germain in the final on 30 May, Seaman told the Press Association: "If that does happen, it is going to be the best season in the club's history, so why not? I just feel this team can get better and better. The club has never won the Champions League before and that would be one hell of a double. It is a big 'if', but it would be epic."
He added: "The players who already have statues have won a lot of trophies and so did Arsene. And I want Mikel to win so much more. He thoroughly deserves it because of the way he took this club by the horns and led it in a new direction."
Overcoming the 'bottlers' tag
Arsenal had finished as league runners-up for the previous three seasons and faced accusations of "bottling" their title bid after a 2-1 defeat at City on 19 April. However, while City drew with Everton and Bournemouth, Arsenal rebounded by winning their next four matches without conceding a goal. Arteta, who took charge in December 2019 with the club in disarray, had installed a blacked-out Premier League trophy at the training base, designed to illuminate only upon being crowned champions.
"Light that up," Saka declared in footage posted by Timber to Instagram on Tuesday night. "Twenty-two years, there was laughing, there was joking, they're not laughing anymore. Look, it is going to be shining bright." Myles Lewis-Skelly added: "They called us bottlers. And now we're holding the bottle."
Contract extension urged
Seaman, who watched City's decisive draw alongside former teammates Martin Keown and Robert Pires at the Emirates, commented: "The pressure that has built up over the past few years was massive. I was at the Bournemouth game where Arsenal lost and I saw the fans change, the players change, but now that's all gone, they've done it, it is such a relief, and it will snowball from here."
With Arteta's current deal expiring next year, the former England goalkeeper urged swift action: "We have got to get that contract sorted as soon as possible. He is a vital part of Arsenal. He played here, he was captain here, he has managed here, and now he is a Premier League champion. He is the perfect fit."
Arteta's side will be presented with the Premier League trophy after their final match at Crystal Palace on Sunday, before turning their attention to the Champions League final against PSG in Budapest six days later.
