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Make my day?

Dempsey: Great attitude


One of the most exciting things about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is that the lad is very direct and is also more than willing to shoot from distance. He is not bad at playing other people in for a pop at goal, either. We used to have another player much like him called Arshavin, but – sadly - he was body-snatched by some alien cosmonauts many moons ago and replaced with someone who just didn't give a f**k anymore. I'm convinced that the same alien body-snatchers got hold of the former Bordeaux battering-ram, Marouane Chamakh, too. I'm sure the Moroccan held the record for the all-time number of consecutive Champions League games scored in a brief spell, didn't he? Answers on a postcard, please.

The point is that we need to vary our attacking threat somehow, and we need regular goals from outside the box and around the edge of the penalty area. How many times do we get to the edge of an opponent’s area only to see our players try yet another pass to feet inside a jam-packed penalty area? All too often, is the answer and the regular cries of "Shoooot!" from the crowd confirm that there is a strong section of the Arsenal support that would like to see more chances to shoot from distance taken and converted. I believe that the manager needs to address this problem, along with the lack of headed goals scored from crosses if we are going to win silverware next season.

Step forward Mr. Clint Dempsey. He has scored a whopping 40 goals in the last three seasons (9, 13 and 18+) while at Fulham, and the 29-year-old American could yet still add to that very impressive tally. He is obviously coming into his prime now, and many of his goals come from areas of the pitch where Arsenal could tee him up two, three or four times every game very easily. He is very direct and very willing to shoot (and score) from the edge of the area, meaning that he could well be a reasonable and economic option to relieve some of the goal-scoring burden from the 28-year-old Dutchman who scores when he wants. I'm not saying that he would start every game at first, but you have to admit that his tireless work rate, aerial threat (at 6ft 2in) and goal-scoring record suggest that he would be a useful man to bring on from the substitutes’ bench.

His attitude seems great and he is clearly very ambitious, so I think that an early move for Clint Dempsey would be a masterstroke if we can get teams pushing out a bit more at the Grove to attempt to thwart the long-range shots of the Ox and Dempsey, rather than packing their area and waiting for the agonisingly inevitable "one pass too many". Of course, these teams pushing further up the field would create more space between their midfielders and back four for our other attackers to exploit.

Go on Arsène, make my day. If you really want to spoil me, then go for Leighton Baines as well, because that lad can put a ball on a sixpence and is quickly being recognised as one of the best left-backs in the league for his strong defensive work as well. So many of Everton's goals come from his crosses, and I'm convinced that if it wasn't for Ashley Cole and Evra being at Chelsea and Manchester United he could well be on their respective radars already.

Hoilett, Hazard, Götze, Podolski, M'Vila, Robben and Vertonghen are players that I'd also like to see at Arsenal, but Dempsey and Baines are proven Premier League players who are at clubs who might be persuaded to sell at a sensible price. (Being an Arsenal fan, I have to budget very strictly, even in my wildest dreams you see.)

Keep smiling.


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55
comments

  1. Goodbye Arsene

    Mar 31, 2012, 20:06 #20775

    If you didnt laugh you would cry.We needed a goal at QPR and who do we bring on?Oh yes its one goal in a year Chamakh.To those who say we dont need a Dempsey you need to get a life.

  2. Craig

    Mar 31, 2012, 18:39 #20774

    Dempsey not better than Chamakh Gervinho and Park?.Only our manager believes that.Another goal for Fulham today

  3. CanadaGooner

    Mar 31, 2012, 16:32 #20773

    I have a Liverpool Fan sitting next to me right now who finds it funny and a little silly, that an arsenal fan would seek to defend Liverpool's waste of 100million for a carling cup. she say their main aim is to redress the embarrassing imbalance that has developed over the last 20 years btw them and their arch-rivals utd. And they would trade all the carling cups and FA Cups of this world for a first ever premiership trophy (even blackburn have one!). So, quit all this nonsensical excuse-making for liverpool. i compare facts as i see it, and 42 points in the league after 100million spent cannot be brushed away by winning tournaments that involves teams from all levels of english football (it's all well and good going to extra time to beat cardiff, where you're measured is how you fare against premiership opposition in the league). i would love to see arsenal win a trophy (any trophy) at this point, but not at the expense of spending 100million on hopeless players and ending the season with 30+ points behind the winner.

  4. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Mar 31, 2012, 15:16 #20772

    Oh and guess who just scored again for Fulham today! That's right, my Main man Clint.

  5. Not good enough again

    Mar 31, 2012, 11:11 #20769

    The point Is Canada the three teams you keep having a go at can still have a far better season than us, after so long without silverwear many would love the fa and league cup over top four who cares what other teams have spent it's not an excuse for wengers failure again, no trophy not a good season same with all big teams worldwide.

  6. CanadaGooner

    Mar 30, 2012, 22:58 #20766

    @ 'Not good enough again' - good to hear your opinion is 'the arsenal way'. pointless debating this any further as you will simply continue to repeat yourself. I'm yet to meet an Arsenal fan that wouldnt want to win a trophy. But NO, I dont think I'll be happy with a Carling Cup and 42 points in the league with just 8 games to go, after spending 100million on players. It's really funny that with Chelsea and Spurs still in the FA Cup, anyone would think Liverpool would win it.... over & out!

  7. Not good enough again

    Mar 30, 2012, 22:34 #20765

    Canada calm down matey! All the ranting makes you sound like one of those lot up the road . I get it, you would take top four over winning two cups, not really the Arsenal way unless your first in the league your no where, but if we get top four we can look forward to the money being spent well again my guess we will go for any player who's contract is running out and no other big club would touch ie podolski and probs little benny will be signed on a long term contract can't wait another year of good ship Wenger and no trophy not even competing but hey Liverpool spent loads might win two cups but we bought Arteta and won sweet fa so there.

  8. MGJ

    Mar 30, 2012, 21:09 #20763

    Dempsey I've admired but I'm not convinced he's the answer. Llorente from Bilbao, that's the lad.

  9. Dan h

    Mar 30, 2012, 18:14 #20759

    Just another point on Gibbs injuries aside he is a converted left mid/winger to fullback so he will at times still be exposed positionally & if injury free will improve imo.We had the same situation years ago at RB when Lauren converted from midfield it takes time but can reap dividends.@Dave i like Dempsey but our policy of signing players with sell on value means at £10m+ i can't see us signing another 29 year old Arteta being the exception to our usual rule!Podolski will be signed to fill that void & at 26 ticks the boxes we need versatile experienced etc.I think it is a done deal Cologne are the ones not wanting it announced German media outlets believe he is already an Arsenal player.Agree with @Canada regarding Liverpool overspent on average british players Carroll,Downing,Henderson & Adam 80m+ in total crazy money!

  10. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Mar 30, 2012, 18:12 #20758

    Bordeaux battering ram- yes mate, Chamakh was decent for Bordeaux, he was banging in the goals with his head for a while there.

  11. CanadaGooner

    Mar 30, 2012, 17:59 #20757

    @Viking; yes, I agree. Always difficult to predict how some players will perform in the prem. pre-season is becoming more and more critical too, and hoepfully wenger and the money-men can buy whoever it is they hope to buy this summer, early enough!

  12. CanadaGooner

    Mar 30, 2012, 16:26 #20756

    @ 'not good enough again' if you bother to read the threads of conversation with some intellect, you'll work it out that nobody is sneering or having a go at any clubs. All we're doing is exchanging views and putting forward an opinion and answerings questions. That's the purpose of a forum matey. I may be accurate or inaccurate, just my opinion. In comparing money that's been spent against result etc, I dont need to be the judge of liverpool; their fan's reaction to date says it all: millions spend and goodness knows how many points behind in the league. Clubs like Liverpool, Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal are not in the league just to win the carling cup or even the FA Cup; they each want to measure up against the other in the league and 10 - 20 points behind is work to be done, but to be on 42 points with just 8 games remaining (after spending almost 100million in one summer) is not what it's about. end of

  13. Viking

    Mar 30, 2012, 15:13 #20755

    Sorry for the typos in the earlier post. I blame the predictive text on the android!! @canada agree with you on players performing at their clubs and then not having the ability to do the same at a bigger club. Theres been loads of players that have failed this transition. But I do think we need to offload chamakh park and shava and invest in some proven talent. pers has to go. I Get nervous when he is in the team. I'd also pay gibbs ahead of santos. Not sure of hazard. I've not seen him play. I wouldn'tt be too upset tho if we didn't buy him as we have jack, ramsey, coquelin, frimps, to all step in. one more decent winger, attacker, centre half,.and keeper and we won't be far away. I won't get on gibbs orramseys back a they are both young and need time. I am prepared to give them that..hope all you guys are too.

  14. Bordeaux battering ram!!!!

    Mar 30, 2012, 14:32 #20754

    Joe really Chamakh battering ram? has he ever stayed on his feet for longer than two mins? did no one see him play in France he really was as bad as he has been for us. Powder puff is more like it.

  15. Mike

    Mar 30, 2012, 14:26 #20753

    Just one or two signings and the team is good enough -althought I like Baines I don't think he is necessary - same for Dempsey - need a playmaker which hopefully will be fulfilled by Wilshire - If as reported, Padolski and M'vila come in, the team is good. Although wouldn't mind someone finding out what has happened to Samba though

  16. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Mar 30, 2012, 13:58 #20752

    Jude Jolicoeur - yeah that was a bad one. cant win em all i guess. tried something different and it didnt work for a lot of people

  17. Nick

    Mar 30, 2012, 11:14 #20751

    To all of you saying that its easy to shine as a big fish in a small pond i agree up to a point , to my mind a striker that can score goals in a struggling or average team in the pl, would most certainly score goals in a side that creates more chances in one game, than these lesser teams create in half a dozen, i dont know the stats but what is Dempseys chance conversion rate ? id guess it must be pretty good.

  18. Nick

    Mar 30, 2012, 11:00 #20749

    I couldnt agree more, both these players (Dempsey and Baines) would be terrific additions to our club, i have long advocated both said men as targets for us, for the very reasons you stated, along with podolski and perhaps 2 more players, defensive midfield and central defense and then we could make a very serious assault on all fronts next season, however, from past experience i would doubt that we will purchase more than two players in the summer, i hope im wrong though.

  19. Not good enough again

    Mar 30, 2012, 8:15 #20743

    Canada you keep having a pop at the same three teams what other teams do or why you are bothered I have no idea, I only care about us. But the red Mersey lot could stil win two cups the other two sides you keep going on about can still have a great season with a trophy or two and all three are not great teams. We have no right yet to sneer at anyone until we actually do something and we are gonna need far better players than Arteta to do that as the season has proved.

  20. Collo32

    Mar 30, 2012, 7:51 #20739

    Sadly, I won't like to see both of them in my team. Dempsey for Ox, never. Baines for Gibbs, never. We don't win the leagues because players are not patient, they go for money, and when we pay VP some money on the sick bed, we want him sold, when he recovers we want him resigned. Gunners without head.

  21. Will

    Mar 30, 2012, 7:38 #20738

    Seems the silly season has started early. Dempsey, Baines are excellent players and would almost undoubtedly strengthen the side BUT BUT, history. Arsenal are obsessed with value for money and wont pay 10p more than they think a player is worth ( think Swartzar ). Second their transfer negotiations take forever, so even if they started to negotiate now it will take most of the summer to forge any deal. Three Wenger has rarely ever splashed the cash in his time at Arsenal. So my advice would be forget all the bull about who we are buying; we never do and never will under Wenger, expect a surprise package from Senegal who we have never heard of.A player who we will pay over the odds for wages wise and who may or may not come good in two seasons time. Most likely he will join the long list of 'nearly made its' Vela, Bentner, Denilson, Diaby, Djourou, Chamakh, Squillaci,Senderous,Fabianski, etc etc. Finally we will go into the next season saying we really need 2 or 3 quality players to compete. Same old same old.

  22. Andrew Cohen

    Mar 30, 2012, 7:21 #20737

    Monsieur is clearly going to survive for another year. We will now see whether his brush with the sack will reform him. It almost goes without saying that I think there's a 1% chance of that ( Sorry Mike!) As far as Dempsey is concerned, he is an American and they understand the importance of the winning mentality. As to being 30, I can think of one or two players over the years who came to us and added value with their experience, albeit that the contribution was short. David Platt comes to mind.

  23. DW Thomas

    Mar 30, 2012, 4:54 #20736

    Yeah, Dempsey is playing well, but we need Hazard to make a statement of intent and that we're back as a top tier team. Baines is good too, but if Gibbs progresses, he might do. Plus we have Santos who should be our current starting left back. Now more "decent players" please. Get real proven quality Arsene. And no more excuses either. That bag is empty and this is the last chance saloon for transfer windows. No BS. Just buy the necessary players to push for the title and CL. Add depth to give our top players rest when they need it with little to no dip in quality for all games, all competitions. And one last thing. No more putting up with mediocre effort from players or BS comments about "mental strength" until we win a title.

  24. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Mar 30, 2012, 2:15 #20735

    Greg71- great shout on Llorente. I've watched him also and I agree that he looks like a dangerous player.

  25. CanadaGooner

    Mar 29, 2012, 22:42 #20734

    @ Tony B; that's exactly what Dalglish thought he was doing. see where it's got him. I'm sure aguero, silva, yaya toure, van der vart, hernandez, mata and the list goes on, did not prove themselves in the premiership before their respective clubs bought them. The fact that chamakh and co are not doing well doesnt mean we should now go and replace them with players like Dempsey and Baines. If those folks are the answer I'm sure the big-spenders (man city, chelsea etc) would have bought them by now.

  26. Tony B

    Mar 29, 2012, 22:00 #20733

    To those how say the likes of Baines and Dempsey are not good enough for us Are you telling me some of Wengers recent signings are?.The likes of Silvestre Squillaci Chamakh Park and the deadwood Djourou Diaby Denilson Bendtner Vela Flappy and Almunia.What planet our you on?.Baines is the number 1 or 2 LB in the country and Dempsey's record speaks for itself.And you have the cheek to say they are not good enough for Arsenal.Is it any wonder why we stuck in a 7 year trophy drought.We needed a qualty LB since Cashley left and a goalscorer who can score 15 plus goals to back up RVP.Its time to sign players who have proved themselves in the prem not the French league

  27. Greg71

    Mar 29, 2012, 21:49 #20732

    While we are playing fantasy manager i noticed the lack of english players endorsed,Baines apart,is that because they are not good enough or overpriced and still not good enough ? Forget Hazard way over our budget,not seen enough of Podolski at club level,heres a new name in the hat as Spainish players are in vogue Llorente at Bilbao not a five minute wonder either,watch him when you can aside of Barce and Real on sky.

  28. lee afc

    Mar 29, 2012, 21:22 #20731

    All far too easy when sitting behind a computer playing premier league manager 2012. The list of players that you have stated would be a nice introduction to the squad but lets face facts, do we have to sell our prized asset to purchase one or two of these players. Wenger has stated that the incoming players will come in before the pre season. Lets hope its not a repeat of last year because the season was lost in the first 6 games.

  29. kilkenny cat

    Mar 29, 2012, 21:10 #20730

    agree totally on Baines. Can defend as well as cross and take corners allowing our best striker to be in the area,where he should be. Dempsey would add a goal threat to a midfield who are shy in that skill. And it might just rub off on the others. I doubt we will get either though. More french league dross is more likely.

  30. Chris

    Mar 29, 2012, 20:36 #20729

    @Joe Fitzpatrick 13:56 - well it works in my Fantasy Footbal team - both of those players are in it! I'm oviously no expert either but I would have thought that master strategists (and I include Wenger - along several PL managers - in that) would have to look beyond what I do for it to work in reality.

  31. Jude Jolicoeur

    Mar 29, 2012, 20:32 #20728

    If I'm honest, you didn't cover yourself in glory with the piece in which you went on about rubbish American music and drew a Clough/Wenger comparison, but your affinity for this American is certainly justified. Dempsey is quality. He possesses a grit and style that they fancy at Craven Cottage, but I'm not sure the gaffer rates him as much as we do. You're spot on with Hoilett, Hazard, M'Vila and Vertonghen. Any or all of those lot would be brilliant.

  32. Peter Wain

    Mar 29, 2012, 20:21 #20726

    Not good enough for us I am afraid We need to dispose of at least ten players and find recruits who are better than squad players.

  33. CanadaGooner

    Mar 29, 2012, 20:15 #20725

    @Wenger just go now; every rule has exceptions. I can give you tens of players (Carroll will be top of that list) who have failed and a handful of wrightys who succeeded. So, Sinclair spends one full season and scores 7 goals; I'll wait to see what he does next year before starting to drool over him. If you're going to attempt to table an argument without loop-holes, find a better line of argument matey.

  34. Wenger just go now

    Mar 29, 2012, 18:52 #20724

    @Canada that would be the same Walnutt who has finally hit a bit of form after SIX years at the club?And has scored 6 league goals to Sinclairs 7 You can have Dempsey or Park and Chamakh.Or Baines or Santos and Gibbs.Signing Dempsey and Bains would improve us.I bet you were saying it was easy for Wrighty to shine at a small club like Palace when we bought him

  35. Dave

    Mar 29, 2012, 18:35 #20723

    @Dan h £10m an unrealistic price for Dempsey you joking? we are the club who paid £5m for Park and £13m for Gervinho.Dempsey at £10m is an absolute bargain.You would think Wenger would learn the lesson from signing Wiggy a player with proven premiership experience.Baines at LB would be as good as Sagna at RB.

  36. Kenny

    Mar 29, 2012, 18:18 #20722

    Great shout about Dempsey and Baines.But sadly hell will freeze over before Wenger would sign them.He would rather have LB's who have no positional sense and in Santos case is puffing and blowing after a ten year sprint than Baines who can defend as well as attack and for the last two seasons has been better than Cashley.Dempsey is so underated.His attitude puts some of our grab the money and run players to shame.But Wenger would rather buy a Gervinho Squillaci Park and Chamakh instead.And reward rubbish like Djourou with a new contract.Nothing will change till the day Wenger leaves

  37. CanadaGooner

    Mar 29, 2012, 18:06 #20721

    @ Viking; mate, packing a team like Arsenal with players who look good in teams like Fulham and Swansea isnt a good idea. We're beter off waiting a few more years for our babies to grow. Bringing in one or two like Arteta makes sense, but not over-doing it. People question the club's ambition all the time on here; i dont think it's an ambitious move to bring in Dempsey, Dembele and Sinclair. Sinclair had his chance as a young player at Chelsea and couldnt cut it. His attitude isnt the greatest either (misses important chances all the time. Far worse than Walcott). Dembele needs a couple more good seasons in the premiership before anyone's going to give him a serious looking. It's easy to shine in teams like Fulham and Swansea; so, dont be fooled mate. I wouldnt pay $200,000 for sinclair on any day (but I'm sure his asking price will be more like $10M).

  38. Joe fitzpatrick

    Mar 29, 2012, 18:03 #20720

    CanadaGooner- I dunno mate, even if Joe Fitzpatrick managed Utd or Chelsea they still might struggle! Hahaha, lovely banter!

  39. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Mar 29, 2012, 17:47 #20718

    Look lads, I'm no more qualified than any of you or my mates in the pub but, it's obvious that players like Dempsey and Baines should be targets for a team on a budget

  40. Viking

    Mar 29, 2012, 17:19 #20717

    Dempsey would be a welcome addition. But we need to offload shava, vela and chamakh for a start. As for midfield, dembele from fulham is the man. Can defend and attack. Lets hope wenger loses the players who we all know should be replaced. I don't trust santos. Pers is useless. It's it a coincidence that we are looking more solid now that posts is not playing. Give gibbs a chance too. He's improving with every game. Whats views on replacing theo with scott sinclair? However ox should be starting more games in future and bourree than happy for him to be used ahead of gervinho. shava is useless. forget him, I never liked him our his lazy attitude.

  41. CanadaGooner

    Mar 29, 2012, 16:25 #20715

    The key word in your article Joe, is 'ATTITUDE'. The reason Arsenal failed to win our most recent Carling Cup final against Birmingham had nothing to do with Wenger or tactics (any blooming tactic should beat Birmingham) or the calibre of the players we fielded (afterall we still had Fabregas at that point). I could have asked Joe Fitzpatrick to manage Man Utd or Chelsea and the result would still be a trophy for either of those teams. At Arsenal, our players come in knowing 4th place in the leage (CL qualification) and the CL money, is all they need to safeguard. They dont see the carling cup as a worthwhile trophy. Players like Dempsey who considers himself lucky to be playing football and in England, and in the premiership, will give everything he has to win ANY trophy on offer. I'm not sure how he would fare at a much bigger club, and when he finds himself only getting a chance to play the odd premiership games as backup. But he's definitely worth a try. If we can offload a lot of our current players who simply cant perform, having replacements like Dempsey as a short-term fix cant be a bad idea

  42. Gare Kekeke

    Mar 29, 2012, 15:47 #20714

    Clint Dempsey is one of the Premier League’s most underrated players. Certainly his goal threat is an asset and I would welcome him at The Arsenal. I can’t see it happening though as he is pushing 30 and we know what Wenger is like on that matter, even though it has changed a bit in the last couple of years. I still think Project Youth Mk II will kick in next season. The Denilson, Bendtner & Fabregas (not that he is average) generation may have failed but Wenger will bank on Ryo, The Ox, Wilshire et al to prove once and for all that developing a lot of young players together without the aid of experience rather than a mixture of youth and experience is the way forward and his way of sticking two fingers up at the ‘petrol dollars’ of Chelsea & Manchester City. Also it goes without saying the squad is still in desperate need of an overhaul and reform is badly required but that won’t be easy with the deadwood (and we know who they are) on huge sums of money and the club’s desire to substantially cash in on them even though no other club would pay top dollar for them. Lessons from past mistakes must be heeded on and not written off as one-off mistakes. Up The Arsenal.

  43. Terry

    Mar 29, 2012, 15:11 #20713

    I would sign Dempsey Baines and Leon Britton of Swansea.All proven at premiership level instead of buying second raters from France and Africa.The recent signings of Chamakh Park and Gervinho from France all prove the point.Who would you rather have Dempsey who would get 15 goals a season in this Arsenal side or the continually crocked Diaby?What a no-brainer.

  44. Allybear

    Mar 29, 2012, 14:57 #20712

    Yes Joe i think Dempsey&Baines would be good additions,more so in my view Baines. But Santos is a typical Wenger full back or whatever he calls the position! I really dont think that Wenger will consider either player so we will wait and see what happens in the summer.

  45. maguiresbridge gooner

    Mar 29, 2012, 14:07 #20711

    We are seeing more shots from out side the box now than we used to not with great success but at least attempts are been made (even if more shooting practice is required)the extra pass around the box and running into trouble is still happening. Dempsey could do a job with his aerial threat something we haven't had for a while and he's certainly a hard worker although some of the other players you've mentioned would probably fit the same category apart from gotze who if reports are to believed has just signed a new contract with dortmund but as important as new signings are its just as important for a clear out of the players who aren't good enough hopefully we will see both.

  46. Joe Fitzpatrick

    Mar 29, 2012, 13:56 #20710

    Chris- There is obviously a point to bring in a player who can come off the bench and make an impact on the game. For too long we have had to suffer players like Diaby and Denilson who wouldnt score 10 goals a season in their dreams.

  47. Chris

    Mar 29, 2012, 13:33 #20707

    Isn't the point of team building on a budget to have a team of players who will complement each other? By which I mean they will be able to play in a coherent synergistic way together - Clough was a master at this, and look at Rodgers' Swansea this season. Not sure that identifying players that would give the team 'what they are missing' is the way to achieve that - you'll just end up a middling mess and end up in mid-table....

  48. Clockender78

    Mar 29, 2012, 12:45 #20706

    Good article. I have been saying these past few months we should be going for Dempsey and Baines, two proven premier league performers who shouldn't cost the earth either. We defo need more goals from the midfield areas, think Theo is our second top scorer with just six league goals! As for Gotze, he has just signed a new contract, so we won't be getting him. Podolski would be a good signing, but only to supplement RVP, not replace him! Keeping RVP could be our biggest achievement this summer though..

  49. Jekyll

    Mar 29, 2012, 12:40 #20705

    I think the point is Wenger doesn't want to vary the attacking threat, it's against his 'philosophy' to do so. This is the exact opposite of the sort of player Wenger would go for, apart from his mediocre (not impressive at all) scoring record. Baines would be great but Wenger has his two LBs now, 'strong defensive work' isn't something he looks for so he won't do anything there.

  50. Ronster

    Mar 29, 2012, 11:05 #20703

    Agree....an instinctive,in yer face player a la Alan Sunderland...sadly lacking post 2005.

  51. Tony Evans

    Mar 29, 2012, 11:04 #20702

    If, as we are all hoping, Wenger has finally abandoned 'Project Youth' we may very well see some decent older players like Dempsey coming in to replace the wasters we have suffered for too long now. As you say, Joe, Dempsey probably would not start every match but how much better an impact player or squad man would someone like him be than Denilson, Diaby and all the rest of the overpaid no-hopers that I desperately want to see off-loaded in the summer. I have been a big critic of Wenger's policy since 2007 because he went completely over the top with it and refused to accept that certain players were not up to the job but I can see the seeds of a good season coming up next year IF we finally see the deadwood gone and two or three decent signings made. Wenger has disappointed me for too many years to get carried away but I am allowing myself a crumb of hope that we are on the cusp of something pretty good.

  52. Dan h

    Mar 29, 2012, 10:56 #20701

    Dempsey has a year left on his contract at Fulham good player can score regularly & has a good work rate i rate him also.The down side Fulham even with his contract situation will ask for an unrealistic valuation probably around £10m he does play in the PL after all!Podolski(if signed) will be the forward addition we require plays all along the front line experienced,scores goals powerfull shot & at 26 a few years younger.We will need a back up GK to Szczesny the other GK contracts are expiring hopefully experienced with a view to helping out the coaching side.Even if we can clear some bad contracts from our books i would see no more than 2/3 signings plus the back up GK situation if that's the case & of decent quality i would then believe we are moving in the right direction.If we want to keep RVP & we show some intent in the transfer market i believe he will stay i may be in the minority with that view.I really don't think money is his main motivation whatever we offer he can get more elsewhere & seems a person who isn't swayed by his agent unlike other recent players i won't mention!

  53. GaryFootscrayAustralia

    Mar 29, 2012, 10:29 #20700

    I can agree with all on your list apart from Robben, only because of his general attitude problem...but my question is, how would they all fit in enough games to be happy chappies, and not end up "doing an Arshamak?"

  54. Judge Fred

    Mar 29, 2012, 10:28 #20699

    Yes I like Baines - a good defender with excellent dead ball delivery. But will that mean the end of Santos? I like Santos and believe he has a lot to offer. There are not too many other Premier League players that a) we could afford and b) would improve us. Tiote - maybe but is vastly better than Coq or Frim?

  55. TK

    Mar 29, 2012, 9:50 #20698

    scoring long range goals and headers isnt going to win us the league. As much as i like dempsey, he is hardly the player we require at the moment. Im not sure i go along with this idea of fans suggesting players they would like arsenal/wenger to buy, arsenal arent willing to pay mega bucks so adding enhanced players to the squad becomes difficult.