Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman wants his old club to reconsider their way of doing business. The England shot-stopper said in an interview that Arsenal need to start spending more money in order to keep up with Premier League rivals.

After a fifth place finish this season, Seaman is fearful of what will the future bring, reports Goal. It’s the first time in 20 years that the Gunners have failed to qualify for the Champions League and the future of the longest serving club manager is still unknown.

Arsenal stakeholder Alisher Usmanov is believed to be very interested in buying Stan Kroenke’s 67 percent stake at the club for £1 billion but was told that the shares were not for sale.

In an interview with Omnisport, Seaman said: “All that concerns me, whatever happens, is I want there to be more money available for the manager. I think we are getting left behind a little bit by two or three clubs that are now ahead financially and they are spending money and things need to change at Arsenal.

“They need to look at their wage structure – how can you attract the top players when you’re not paying the top money? It is as simple as that.

“They have got to be real with what’s being paid to players. If you have a top player who wants to come to London and at Arsenal he is being offered say 100 grand and at another club it’s 200 grand, where is he going to go?

“For me, it’s as simple as that – we are not attracting big players anymore.”

Arsenal’s best players, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, have stalled on contract talks and could well leave this summer or in 12 months when their respective deals expire. And coupled with Arsenal’s lowest league finish for close to two decades, things appear to be getting worse not better.

However, this Saturday sees Arsenal with a chance at redemption. The Gunners face Chelsea in the FA Cup final and Seaman fancies his old side to deliver. “The strike force and taking their chances (will be key for Arsenal), because in Sanchez  you’ve got a guy who can score from anywhere,” he said.

“Ozil is Ozil, sometimes he’s there sometimes he’s not, but they’re special players and can change games and that is going to be key.

“Chelsea will have chances because they are quality and have shown that all season. I just hope that they have an off day.”

And while commenting on Arsene Wenger and his future at the club he said: “I would like him to stay because I have a lot of admiration for the guy, he is a nice guy and when he first came to the club he was brilliant.

“I would like him to stay to try to develop something to challenge for the Premier League, but at the moment we are quite a way away.”