Arsenal Transfer Prospects: The Pros and Cons of Signing West Ham's Scott Parker

Though Arsene Wenger is probably on his way to South America for the summer, it is certain that he will be  actively involved in finalizing transfers as well as deciding on the futures of several players in the current Arsenal squad. Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson have confirmed that they wants to quit the club and some others are likely to follow in the summer.

The Gunners have been linked with a number of players in the summer and relegated West Ham's central midfielder is one of the targets for Arsene Wenger in this transfer window. West Ham have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager and they will hope that he can take them back to the Premiership in his first year.

However, Scott Parker has hinted that he is likely to move in order to play for the highest level and also to play for the England team. The hard tackling midfielder has reportedly attracted the interest of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham and could be signed by one of these clubs. Though Parker is currently aged 30, he was the best player by a distance for West Ham and also won the Football Writers Award for the 2010-11.

Parker started his career at Charlton Athletic where he impressed and attracted the interest of many clubs due to his impressive performances from the English midfielder. He was signed by Chelsea which meant a big step in his career but he did not get many opportunities to prove himself and was discarded by the Blues only one and a half seasons after signing for the club.

Since then, he has played for Newcastle United and West Ham United where he has been excellent for both clubs. Though Parker's performances for the Irons in this season were in vain, it is likely that he will move on to a club in the top six of the EPL in this summer. With Arsenal amongst the clubs being linked with him, this is an article on what Parker brings to the Gunners and also on Arsenal's problems in defensive midfield.


Advantages

Arsenal have not had enough leaders in the dressing room due to a lack of experience and Fabregas in an interview to the Don Balon admitted that the guys look up to him and Van Persie. Parker is a player who is vastly experienced and can help others to cope with pressure. Also, he has played in a team with much lesser quality and has the capability to bring out the best from others as he showed with West Ham.

The England International is a hard tackling player who is good defensively and can thrive in the defensive midfield role for the Gunners though he can contribute effectively in attack as well. He is experienced in the Premiership and can cope with the physicality and the pace of the league which means that he will not need time to adjust to the team.

Parker can play in the role of Jack Wilshere or that of Alex Song in the current Arsenal team and there is no quality back-up for Song if he does get injured. Though Abou Diaby has played in that role, he is not suited to a predominantly defensive midfielder role and Emmanuel Frimpong has only just recovered from his injury which saw him miss almost the entire season.

It would also be personally good for Parker if he joins Arsenal since he can play in the Champions League which no other club interested in him can offer and also, he would play alongside Jack Wilshere at club level which will improve his chances of getting selected in the England team where Wilshere is certain to start.

With a player of Parker's experience, Arsenal's mentality is likely to improve and his never-say-die attitude and commitment to the cause could be just what the Gunners need to get over the finishing line at the end of the season. In more detail, here are five reasons why Parker should be considered by Arsene Wenger, who rarely spends a sizeable fee on a player aged 30.

Disadvantages

Parker's transfer fee could be a problem considering his age and West Ham will not let him depart on a bargain though he is likely to quit the club. Also, Arsenal's major problem this season has been dealing with set-pieces and signing another short player will not solve the problem which is why Wenger wants to bring more variety in height this year.

Also, he could be frustrated with the lack of opportunities at the club if Wenger opts to play Song ahead of him. Though he played one and a half years with Chelsea, he is not experienced with the Champions League which boasts of high quality teams from around the world. He is not quick which means that he could struggle with fast counter-attacks with which the Gunners have struggled to deal with in the past.

He has played through the pain barrier on some occasions this season and that could yet come back to haunt him because he could be injured next season having played a number of games for West Ham despite sustaining some injuries. The last thing that Arsenal would want to have is another player who is a frequent visitor to the treatment room but let us hope Parker, irrespective of which club he joins, can stay fit for most of the season.

Should Wenger sign a Defensive Midfielder in the Summer?


Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in various positions and it is difficult to predict which positions are at the top of the agenda for the Arsenal manager. But it is logical to predict that the Gunners are likely to be in the market for a strong Centre Back who can provide stability to Arsenal, who have been woeful in defending from set-pieces.

However, the Gunners currently have four defenders in Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci. In this scenario, signing a strong physical centre back like Gary Cahill or Christopher Samba who are excellent in the air. Koscielny and Djourou have both shown immense promise for the future and will only get better next season but it is likely that manager signs a player who relishes aerial battles.

Arsenal might need to sign a Centre Back who is likely to be in the range of £10-15 million and to sign a defensive midfielder like Parker or any other decent defensive midfielder, another £8-12 million will be required. The Gunners will also look to sign a striker who can be prolific since Van Persie has been injury prone and also a left winger because Arshavin has been inconsistent and signing a youngster like Ricky Alvarez or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be important in this summer.

The problem for Arsenal is that with the African Nations Cup in January 2012, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong could be away with their National teams though it looks increasingly likely that the Cameroon International will not be a part of the squad. One alternative which can be considered by Wenger is that the Arsenal defenders are quite good on the ball and can play as midfielders when required.

Though Vermaelen is currently Arsenal's best defender, he has a tendency to attack far too much and can get caught out of position for a centre back. However, he has excellent technique and can shoot from range and can easily slot in as a defensive midfielder as well. Johan Djourou has played as a defensive midfielder in his youth and can also do the job in midfield.


Koscielny who has been excellent in many games this season for the Gunners including high profile games against Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United can be paired alongside the new defender and also, he has also shown good potential with his distribution and he can also possibly play in the defensive midfield role though he is not accustomed to the role in his short career.

In the absence of Alex Song due to injury or Internationals, Thomas Vermaelen or Laurent Koscielny can play in his role with the other as the centre back partnering Johan Djourou or the new signing. If a centre back who is good on the ball plays in defensive midfield, it will also mean that Arsenal will have more presence in the box for defending set-piece situations with which they have struggled.

In addition to this, youngsters Emmanuel Frimpong who was on the verge of breaking into the first team squad before his cruciate ligament injury and Kyle Bartley who has shown a lot of promise in his loan spells could also provide depth for Song. The option of playing Vermaelen or Koscielny as a defensive midfielder alongside Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere has to be considered by the manager since it will provide much more security in defense which has been Arsenal's achilles' heel in the recent past.


If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Falcao and Ricky Alvarez

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: 5 Reasons Why Wenger Must Sign West Ham's Parker

Arsene Wenger's disappointing season is coming to an end and Arsenal's trophy drought is likely to continue for at least another season. The Frenchman has come under immense scrutiny from various sections of the media and the supporters. With the rise in ticket prices, it is expected that the usually frugal Arsenal manager will spend the cash to acquire experienced players.

The manager is likely to bring in a few experienced players in the summer to bolster the squad which has many promising youngsters including the likes of Jack Wilshere and Wojciech Szczesny. Though many experts and critics have been clamoring for the signing of a centre back and goalkeepers, signing a quality defensive midfielder should be at the top of the agenda for Wenger.

Lukasz Fabianski enjoyed a stellar season until he was unfortunately injured (by Szczesny's powerful kicking! ) and Wojciech Szczesny has had a breakthrough season in which he has demonstrated his quality at the highest stage. Vito Mannone is likely to return to Arsenal at the end of the season and after the displays of the two Polish Internationals, Wenger should persist with the talented youngsters.

The defence has leaked goals for the Gunners but the general consensus is that they have missed the presence of Thomas Vermaelen this season. The impressive Belgium captain has recovered from the achilles injury and should he not suffer any more setbacks, he should be fit for the next season.

Though Koscielny has had some bad games, he has shown to be a quality defender while Djourou has been impressive since making his return from his long term knee injury. Sebastien Squillaci has not been able to impress at the Emirates and could move on. Though a quality defender would be a welcome addition for the Gunners, it is certainly not a necessity as the Gunners have three quality centre backs.

However the situation with regard to the Central Defensive Midfield role is different and needs to be addressed by Wenger. Emmanuel Frimpong was expected to play some part in the first team this season but he suffered a cruciate ligament injury which ruled him out for most of the season. He will be back in the reserves next season but will not be prominent in the first team for the next season.

Alex Song has been excellent in many games but has lacked consistency this year. He tends to venture forward to join the attack and the defence has been exposed due to this. Also, he has made many reckless challenges which has resulted in him picking up many cautions. Though he has made impressive strides in the last two seasons, he lacks the leadership and organizational skills in midfield and is occasionally sloppy in possession.

But the biggest problem that the Gunners are facing is that he has no quality competitor who could push him to reach greater heights. Denilson has been ineffective this season and has not been a good substitute for Song while Diaby is frequently injured and even when he is fit, his attributes are quite different from those of a defensive midfielder.

It is no coincidence that Arsenal have not won a trophy since the departure of Patrick Vieira and the Frenchman's leadership and steel in midfield has been missed by Gunners.If Alex Song suffers a serious injury next season, Arsenal do not have quality players who can fulfill the role of the Cameroon International.


Though Song has come a long way in the recent past, it would be better if Wenger supplements this department with a midfielder like Scott Parker who can be immense for a young team like Arsenal. The England International has established a good partnership with Jack Wilshere with the National set-up and joining Arsenal could also benefit him in this regard.

The reasons why Parker's signing could bring success to the Gunners are listed below.

1. Leadership

Arsenal's lack of leadership at crucial situations has been well documented and criticized by many journalists and even by many of their own supporters. Fabregas is the current captain of Arsenal but his ability to rally his team after encountering set-backs has been questionable. He is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the world but has not been the best captain.

Parker will not be the captain but will almost certainly be a leader in the dressing room. He has inspired his team to perform much better in dire situations and at times, he has been the sole reason that West Ham have looked a team that has hope of staying in the Premiership.

2. Competition for Alex Song

The two places which currently do not have enough competition in the squad for the last few years is that of the Left Back and the DM. Clichy has shown a lot of promise but due to a serious lack of competition mainly due to the injuries of Kieran Gibbs, he has not struggled to hold on to his place despite some poor performances. This has led to a drop in his performances and his development has not been helped by the security of a place in the eleven.

Song has not got any serious competitor in the squad and is a regular in the squad but it will be good if he can learn from an experienced professional like Parker. The Englishman is certain to push Song for a place in the team which will make him fight for his place.

3. Commitment and Never-Say-Die attitude

Parker has always been a player who has a excellent work rate and possesses a lot of commitment and desire to win. He is a player who is willing to do the dirty work of breaking up plays and starting counter-attacks. His tackling is amongst the best in the league and he recognizes danger quickly and moves to cut it out.

The West Ham midfielder adds a lot of steel to the midfield and his never-say-die attitude is what is required for the team. He was the player who inspired the comeback for West Ham after they were 3-0 down against West Bromwich Albion to earn an unlikely point. That is the sort of spirit that is absent in the Gunners when they endure a spell of pressure by the opposition.

4. Technical ability and Passing

Though Parker may not be playing in a top club, he possesses more than a decent technique and is quite good on the ball. He is not a great dribbler but is a clean passer with a good passing range. He can start attacks with his passing and his vision is also a bright spark for his team. He does not dribble like a Nasri or Wilshere but his job is to provide a shield in front of defence and start attacks with his passing.

Parker can also strike the ball sweetly and has scored some scintillating goals in the Premier League with his long range shooting. He is also capable of driving the team forward and can provide good crosses from wide areas.

5. Experience in Big Games and Hunger to Succeed

The English International has played in a number of big games for different clubs and can handle the pressure of those situations. He has the experience to guide the youngsters like Ramsey and Wilshere in these big matches and can effectively prove to be a leader on the pitch.

At the age of 30, it is only now that he is a regular in the England team and is desperate to prove to Fabio Capello that he has much to offer England. He will have the hunger to succeed and win trophies at this stage in his career.

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analysing The Pros and Cons of Signing Matthew Upson

Arsenal eased past relegation candidates West Ham United by scoring three goals at Upton Park with Robin van Persie netting a brace. The Hammers struggled to create anything meaningful and apart from a dreadful back-pass from Johan Djourou, the Gunners' defence looked solid and deserved their clean sheet. The victory would mean that they will be on the tail of leaders Manchester United who will play Tottenham on Sunday.

Arsenal have not got enough numbers at the back because of the injuries to Thomas Vermaelen and Sebastien Squillaci because of which Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou have to start almost all the games. It is likely that Wenger will attempt to sign a Centre Back to provide good cover for the defense.

Arsene Wenger revealed that Thomas Vermaelen will most probably not require surgery but it is still not known when the influential Belgian defender will be back for the Gunners. Sebastien Squillaci has also sustained a hamstring injury which means Wenger will be forced to try to sign a defender in January. He has also insisted that he prefers a defender who has the experience of playing in the Premier League.

Arsenal are looking for a defender who could add quality to the team as well as add some depth to the squad but with four defenders already in the squad, Wenger could add someone who could be a quick-fix solution. West Ham defender Matthew Upson, who has played for Arsenal in the past, could be targeted by Wenger to provide depth to the team because he will be available on a bargain and also he has a lot of experience in the Premier League.

Upson has played for the Gunners in the past but due to the longevity of class players like Martin Keown and Tony Adams and his own injury problems, he struggled to establish himself in the Arsenal team. Upson was allowed to move on from Arsenal and made a number of appearances for Birmingham City. He then moved to West Ham for whom he has been a key player in the last few seasons.

Arsene Wenger has not signed his former Arsenal players back for the Gunners except in the case of Sol Campbell who was signed in the previous season. But Upson could be targeted by the French tactician because his contract ends in the summer and the Hammers could cash in on the England International and also he has immense experience in the Premier League.

Advantages

Matthew Upson has got a lot of experience in the Premiership and at the age of 31, he could still have some good years in him. Also, he is good in the air and is a no-nonsense defender which is what the Gunners need. The England International will benefit from playing alongside a centre back like Thomas Vermaelen who has good pace. Also, he has consistently performed at a top level for West Ham United and though he has made the odd error, he has largely been reliable for the Hammers.

Since the defender is available at a bargain, it makes good business sense to sign the England International as he will provide good cover. He will not take time to adjust and if he does prove to be better than Squillaci, then it could mean that the Frenchman could be shipped out in the summer. Upson has worked with Wenger and can adjust to the needs of the Frenchman if he is signed by the Gunners.

Disadvantages

The England International is clearly not going to be the first choice defender and lacks the quality of Thomas Vermaelen or Gary Cahill. He could end up as yet another back-up defender like Squillaci who cannot establish himself as the first choice defender. The Gunners concede far too many goals in all competitions and they need a strong and capable defender who can add quality to the team.

It is doubtful if Upson will solve the defensive problems of Arsenal although he will provide decent back-up to the first choice defenders. He does not have great technical ability but he has experience in the Premiership and knows how to bring the ball from the back. He also lacks pace which means strikers who have good pace can get behind the defence and cause problems for them.

Should Wenger go for Upson or should he target a quality defender like Gary Cahill?

Wenger should decide whether he has to opt for a defender like Upson who is essentially a fourth choice centre back or to spend money to acquire a top quality defender to partner Thomas Vernaelen. Upson could be a good business deal for the short term but it would mean that either the England International or Squillaci will be on their way out in the summer because the Gunners will have four fit centre backs and Wenger could promote young talented players like Ignasi Miquel.

The decision taken by the French tactician will also be based on how long he estimates Thomas Vermaelen to be fit and back to his best again. If the Belgian is going to miss the majority of the remainder of the season, then the Gaffer must spend money to acquire a quality defender. But Wenger is more likely to make a deal to sign Matthew Upson instead of spending the money required to attract top quality defenders like Per Mertesacker.