Third place may still be within reach for Arsenal, but not through any real endeavour of their own. No wins in the last four games could (and perhaps should) have seen the Gunners chances snatched away, but the likes of Tottenham and Chelsea have also struggled in the Premier League. Yes they’ve got by, but Arsenal’s weaknesses have been there for all to see. If they want to challenge for the Premier League next season, serious tweaks will need to be made to this squad.
Bringing in FC Koln’s Lukas Podolski is an excellent start. He’s no slouch in front of goal and he’s versatile. I’m sure Robin Van Persie will be glad to have some of the goal-scoring pressure released from his shoulders. But it strikes me that there’s more work to be done in this regard.
Emirates 24/7 claim that Arsene Wenger is ready to make a move for Fulham’s goal-scoring all star, Clint Dempsey when the transfer window re-opens. This comes less than a week after Liverpool’s chairman Tom Werner claimed that ‘any team would be lucky to have Clint Dempsey playing [in] their squad’. It’s beginning to look as though Dempsey is pretty hot property.
Dempsey scored the 50th goal of his Fulham career during the Trotters 2-1 victory over Sunderland at the weekend. He’s also been in fine form this season chalking up 23-goals and spearheading a Fulham attack that has seen the club climb to 8th in the Premier League table. Not too shabby.
His form and attacking prowess has seen many fans ask whether he could make it at a so-called ‘big club’. Could he do the job at Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal? I don’t see why not.
It’s claimed in the same article that Arsene Wenger is looking to sign Dempsey to play behind Podolski and Van Persie. I think this is a position that he could thrive in – especially given the manner in which Arsenal play. The Gunners like their midfielders to be mobile and join the attack wherever possible. That’s how Dempsey likes to play too.
But he also works hard. Arsenal fans have been getting on the backs of players like Alex Song for not chasing back. Dempsey on the other hand, has a great work ethic. He’s a fighter and loves to win games. So yes, he’d arrive at the Emirates with a certain expectancy of goals, but he’ll also add a little more competitive nature to the Gunners midfield. Now that sounds like a worthy addition to me.
What’s your take? Would Clint Dempsey fit in at the Emirates?
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