Just the Iron we need

Scott Parker for Arsenal?



Just the Iron we need

Parker: Crucial calmness


Last weekend saw two London clubs suffer real body blows to their plans for next season. Arsenal’s inept performance in their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa means there is a good chance the Gunners will finish fourth and have to go through the qualifying rounds for next season’s Champions League.

And across London, West Ham’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed following a poor performance and 3-2 defeat to Wigan Athletic. However the Hammers’ demise could serve to offer a boost to Arsenal, for one reason - Scott Parker.

FWA Player of the Year Parker has been THE stand-out performer for West Ham this season. His power, experience and intelligence have kept West Ham together over the last two seasons. Precisely the reasons why Arsenal should make a move to sign him this summer. West Ham’s relegation means Parker will probably be available for around £5 million, a bargain for an England international and a player of proven Premier League experience.

He will offer a young Arsenal side experience and balance, a crucial calmness when the team finds itself needing just that in tight periods of games. He also offers the aggression and tenacity needed to put Arsenal on the front foot against more physical opponents. He is technically sound, and would provide real defensive balance alongside the likes of Wilshere, Nasri and Fabregas.

I’m not saying he is the answer to Arsenal’s problems, nor should he be the end of Wenger’s shopping this summer. But he should certainly be on the list.


NEW! Subscribe to our weekly Gooner Fanzine newsletter for all the latest news, views, and videos from the intelligent voice of Arsenal supporters since 1987.

Please note that we will not share your email address with any 3rd parties.


Article Rating

Leave a comment

Sign-in with your Online Gooner forum login to add your comment. If you do not have a login register here.

18
comments

  1. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    May 19, 2011, 6:07 #7154

    If Parker's injury record is off putting, then going by that logic Arsenal should release Van Persie and Vermaelen immediately...

  2. Aaron

    May 18, 2011, 10:05 #7109

    For £5m yes, problem is he'll cost at least £8m. Not worth it for an injury prone player who will be 31 2 months into the season

  3. morg

    May 17, 2011, 17:27 #7084

    he would be a significant signing and would plays with an English drive and determination that would make him a perfect partner with Wilshere I hope Arsene dusts off the chequebook...although im not sure about his injury record..

  4. Jimmy Gooner

    May 17, 2011, 17:05 #7082

    @Rohan (post 7704) That was a different contributor. Please try to pay attention. It's not that difficult. The website has lots of different people contributing with different views. That makes it an interestign website in my opinion.

  5. Joe Fitzpatrick

    May 17, 2011, 16:04 #7075

    I agree that for the right price Scott Parker would be a great addition to our squad if only for his leadership qualities and work rate however, I just cant see Arsene Wenger buying him. If its left up to the nutty professor We'll probably end up with some kid who has just been playing 2nd Division Football in Germany.

  6. hazeez ademola

    May 17, 2011, 15:54 #7072

    arsene wenger need money to buy the experience players cous most of the fans are not happy with all this rubesh that always happen at emirat stadium.

  7. Chris

    May 17, 2011, 15:36 #7069

    He would not even be back up and would give more protection to the back 4 than song I think he will be at the Emirates next season

  8. Matt

    May 17, 2011, 15:18 #7067

    Absolutely 100% agree. We need some strong tackling players in midfield and defence who can provide stability to the team and intimidate the more physical teams like Stoke.

  9. Realistic_Gooner

    May 17, 2011, 14:31 #7062

    Of course we'll get him. If theres one thing we're good at, its a bidding war. We'll offer 5, spuds will offer 8, Liverpool will offer 10 etc etc.. Cue Wenger in August, "we tried to sign Parker, but he was not available"... I agree with article, just the sort of player we need but never gonna happen...

  10. John Evans

    May 17, 2011, 14:13 #7059

    AW will not be interested in signing this one for two reasons 1. His nationality is English 2.He is 30 years of age The above two factors make the signing a no go from the start

  11. Dobis

    May 17, 2011, 14:09 #7057

    Am tired of rubbish arsenal. What a dissapointment they are. Until the manager goes out there to buy players that are proven with experience, they will not even see Europa spot next season.

  12. maguiresbridge gooner

    May 17, 2011, 13:39 #7052

    you seem to forget that other teams will also be looking at parker the spuds man u liverpool even city you think wenger will get in bidding war with said teams? think not if he wants him and thats a big if he will offer what he thinks he's worth and go no higher if some other team offer 1,million more game over

  13. Kev G

    May 17, 2011, 13:38 #7051

    this ship has sailed. He's never been in pressure situations to win the league so what would he bring to this side that crumble under pressure?? Before he came on at the weekend WH were 2-0 up when he left the pitch they'd lost 3-2... Hardly suring things up to ensure 3 crucial points. The guy is also quite injury prone and won't get any better with age. If we'd got him 2/3 years ago then yes it would have been a good signing. But now we've got Wilshere he is just as tenacious with as much fight but actually more skill I do not think supplementing the side with another small player (height wise) does us any good. If we get him on the cheap then ok it's a decent addition to the squad, but I do not think this player would change much at all. Reminds of this time last year alot of gooners were crying out for Joe cole to be added to the squad as he was a free...... erm no thanks

  14. Rohan

    May 17, 2011, 13:36 #7050

    You said fabregas was 100% leaving so why have you mentioned him in your piece? Bull****ting mess this website is.

  15. no. 1 is perry groves....

    May 17, 2011, 12:58 #7042

    scott parker nice idea - but already a done deal with spurs if the rumours are to be believed.

  16. steve

    May 17, 2011, 12:45 #7038

    couldnt agree more feargal - he is a must signing....just hope AW sees it this way

  17. Loyal since 1980

    May 17, 2011, 12:44 #7037

    We have no chance, why? because he is English, he is experienced, he has drive and determination and is at his peak at 28, he is everything that AW does not want at this club!

  18. jezza

    May 17, 2011, 12:40 #7035

    just what we need, but we all know that wenger wont buy players over 30, unless there are quality french defenders like silvestre,grimandi squillaci. he is just to stubborn and apparently west ham are holding out for a priced around 16 million, which is probably a price wenger would refuse to spend on messi. the man is dillsuional, stubborn and has players have "no mental strength". he needs to get out, but we all know he wont. IN WENGER WE RUST