Teddy Sheringham has claimed that Mikel Arteta is following in Sir Alex Ferguson’s footsteps by instilling a legacy as a Premier League champion that will attract the world’s best players.

The Spaniard won Arsenal’s first title since 2004 when the Gunners lifted the trophy last term, and Sheringham, the former Manchester United striker, believes that the north Londoners’ new-found status positions them well to attract the world’s top stars.

They had been in the market for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, in a ramped-up pursuit of bigger names after their coronation as champions.

The club were out to sign a transformational forward to level up their attacking trident after the departures of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, but Christos Tzolis, who arrived from Club Brugge, was the only attacker signed.

Now, however, Sheringham believes that the Gunners have that pull that could lure the best on the planet, even more so than the top two sides in Spain.

“Arsenal will get first pick even ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid because they are top of the pile at the moment, and they’re only going from strength to strength,” he told Hajper.

“Arteta is doing what Sir Alex Ferguson used to, going out and buying players when he’s already on top, and keeping that continuity within the football club. We’ve seen that with Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes. They are two outstanding signings that keep the ball rolling, keep Arsenal moving forward.

“Arteta will have his eye on at least two or three Manchester City players. He’ll know a lot of them from working at City as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. Erling Haaland? Rayan Cherki? Antoine Semenyo? He’ll be straight on the phone now seeing what’s possible.

“That’s what Sir Alex would have done. He’d have broached the subject immediately. Think about the amount of top Scousers he wanted to sign from Liverpool over the years. Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler.

“If Fergie was still the manager, he would ask the question. Whether Erling Haaland would look at Manchester United and think they’re not good enough for him, that’s another question.”