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Arsenal sent Erling Haaland transfer message ahead of Man City Premier League title decider

Erling Haaland of Manchester City
Erling Haaland of Manchester City -Credit:James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images


So it all comes down to this - Arsenal vs Everton and Manchester City vs West Ham United for the Premier League title. A win for Manchester City would see them crowned champions for a historic fourth season in a row. Anything else and the door is open for Arsenal to clinch their first crown in 20 years.

It looks like it will be two straight seasons of finishing as the bridesmaids for Mikel Arteta's team, with Pep Guardiola's side fully expected to see off the Hammers at the Etihad Stadium. But Arsenal are there, ready to pounce if not.

Whatever happens it has been yet another extraordinary league campaign for the Gunners, who have proved they are there to stay at the top of the Premier League table. Summer signings Declan Rice, David Raya and Kai Havertz have all improved the squad, but there will be keen eyes on what happens this summer in terms of making that next step to become champions.

Gunners legend David Seaman believes there are two areas that need strengthening in the transfer window - up front and in central defence. Speaking to Betway, Seaman said: "It’s been great to see this Arsenal team take the title race down to the final day. Whichever way it goes, it’s been a fantastic season and this squad is built for the future.

"Despite how good Havertz has been, I’d say Arsenal still need an out-and-out striker who is going to be fit most of the time. You can never guarantee fitness, but in Gabriel Jesus we’ve got a striker who has struggled with injuries.

"I think we need a striker in a different mould. When Erling Haaland came in at Man City, people doubted whether he’d fit their style of play – then he scored over 40 goals in his first season! He really does fit their game because he gives them another option. That’s the sort of big, strong striker Arsenal need.

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"I would also look for another central defender, because we all saw what happened last season when William Saliba was out injured. That really cost us. I think we need some quality cover in that position. Ben White can play there, but he’s been brilliant at right back, so would you really want him to come into middle? I still feel we need a little bit of strengthening in that position."

Havertz was a somewhat controversial signing at £65million from London rivals Chelsea, having not really hit the heights for the Blues. And his indifferent form continued in his first few months with Arsenal, leading to even more questions around his signing.

However, eight goals and six assists in his last 13 Premier League appearances have proved Mikel Arteta and Edu right over the big-money move as he has been integral to getting the Gunners into second place in the table. Seaman believes Chelsea are rueing the decision to let him go, despite the huge fee.

He added: "Kai Havertz has shown amazing improvement over the course of his first season at Arsenal. I was a little bit surprised when Arsenal signed him – as I think everybody else was – because he had been OK at Chelsea but not brilliant. I’m sure Chelsea now wish they had kept him as he’s become a great player for Arsenal.

"His turnaround hasn’t even spanned the full season, as his Chelsea form carried over into his first few months at Arsenal. He was missing chances, but I always thought that as long as he was getting on the end of those opportunities, sooner or later he was going to start putting them away.

"Now I think he feels loved and wanted, and that shows in his form. When Mikel kept him in the team and kept picking him, I was thinking 'hang on – I need to watch what else he’s doing'.

"If you watch him, he’s always ready to receive the ball, and he knows exactly what he’s doing next. He sees the pictures in his head. I’m sure those are the reasons why Mikel keeps him in the team because he links up play very well."