Arsenal have been heavily linked with signing Demspey- Can they close the deal?
Arsenal have shown this season they have the fighting spirit and resolve that most observers doubted existed at the Emirates.
Sitting in third, they remain 18 points off Manchester United at the top of the league table, which underlines just how much further they need to improve.
Arsene Wenger is realising the mistakes of previous ‘youngsters-first’ policies- and is backing more experienced players.
This is evidenced by his most outstanding performers in recent weeks, Thomas Vermaelen (26), Mikel Arteta (30), and Tomas Rosicky (31).
Which is why his transfer policy this summer needs to build on this.
Robin van Persie is looking more likely to stay than leave, and the more leaders Wenger can add to the squad around him the better.
Which is why bringing in Fulham and the USA’s talismanic forward, Clint Dempsey, 29, would be the perfect signing.
Dempsey has just one year left on his contract at Craven Cottage, and Martin Jol has admitted he could leave the club.
The Express reported today that Arsenal’s scouts have been impressed with Dempsey and believe he would be a perfect fit at Arsenal, and we don’t disagree.
Dempsey can play a variety of positions, across the midfield and up front, but has made most of his starts on the left side of midfield.
He could play on the left-side of Arsenal’s 4-3-3, putting pressure on Gervinho who has failed to make a big impact in his debut season.
Aaron Ramsey even played there of late and showed why he is not the solution, and for all Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s promise, Wenger is clearly not going to start him in every game next season, so Demspey would be an ideal alternative.
Figures of £10 million have been mentioned, although the price is likely to push £15 million, such has been Dempsey’s outstanding form this season, scoring 16 league goals.
He can also play up front and lead the line, giving Arsenal a far more potent Van Persie alternative than Marouane Chamakh, while the incoming Lukas Podolski will also give the Gunners another fresh option.
If Arsenal sign Dempsey, Podolski, and then supplement it with Vertonghen and M’Vila in defence and midfield, few will bet against a serious Premier League title challenge next season. In fact they will be considered among the favourites.
Wenger will have got the squad’s blend right finally- now all he has to do is go and complete the deals, and then he can have a real go at winning some silverware to put in Arsenal’s long-forgotten trophy cabinet.
Will these four players bring success to Arsenal? Will the club sign all four?
image: © NathanF
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