Arsenal legend urges Mikel Arteta to sign two more players after Willian transfer

Alan Smith has urged Mikel Arteta to sign at least two more players this summer after Arsenal agreed a deal with former Chelsea winger Willian. The Gunners confirmed on Friday that Brazil international Willian had signed a three-year deal with the club, having left London rivals Chelsea at the end of the season.

Willian won two Premier League titles and the Europa League at Stamford Bridge and has become Arteta’s first signing of the summer. Former Arsenal striker Smith expects more additions to follow and has urged Arteta to sign a midfielder like Thomas Partey and another defender.

He told Sky Sports: ‘With a few quid to spend, another central defender must be on the cards. This area, in fact, is the most interesting of all. ‘Will William Saliba, for instance, be given an early chance after finally coming over from St Etienne?

‘Saliba, by all accounts, has tremendous potential as a classy defender in the Virgil van Dijk mould. ‘I can just imagine Arteta on that training ground, working hard with the 19-year-old to instil good habits. Depending on how that goes, we might see the Frenchman let loose early on. ‘Next to whom is another matter though. Will Arteta continue with three at the back, a system that helped bring about such huge improvement?’ Smith added: ‘Plenty of questions there, as there are in midfield where the future of Dani Ceballos looks far from certain.

‘I am sure Arteta would love to keep this clever ball player with an excellent work ethic who forged a useful understanding with Granit Xhaka. Real Madrid, of course, might have other ideas. ‘Midfield would further benefit if Matteo Guendouzi can be used in a deal to recruit someone like Thomas Partey, the much-admired lynchpin from Atletico Madrid.’ Under Arteta, Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League this season and won the FA Cup.