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Paul Merson: Fabregas to leave this summer, Scott Parker could replace him

Written by James on April 22, 2011 – 4:45

Arsenal Interactive - Player RatingsScott Parker

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is convinced captain Cesc Fabregas will leave the Gunners during the summer’s transfer window.

Speaking to Sportsvibe.co.uk, the Englishman explained that the Spain International wanted to leave to join Barcelona last summer but manager Arsene Wenger managed to convince him to stay for one more season.

Believing that the 23-year failed to do what Cristiano Ronaldo did for Manchester United in his last year at the club, Merson added that if the Spaniard does indeed leave to move back to Spain it will be important for Arsene Wenger to replace him with an experienced player.

Asked who can be the one, the 43-year old explained that West Ham United’s Scott Parker possesses enough quality and enough experience at the age of 30 to give Arsenal two top class seasons in which he will make the difference in midfield.

On the Gunners’ midfielder, Merson said:

Fabregas will be gone at the end of the season. He wanted to go last year but Wenger managed to convince him to stay for another year and it just hasn’t worked out.

I think Wenger was hoping that Fabregas would somehow do what Ronaldo did for United and propel them to the title, but what Ronaldo did was simply phenomenal.

I think that if Fabregas does go then Wenger should make an English centre-half his main priority. Arsenal don’t need a player that will reach his peak in three or four years, they need someone to come in and do the job straight away.

I’m a big fan of Scott Parker. Even though he is 30 he is till a top draw player. He could come in to the club for one or two seasons and you know that he would make a massive difference.

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  • Unbeaten 49 says:
    April 22, 2011 at 5:01

    The article is not a joke, it just says the opinion from one former player

    Reply to this comment »
    • darin says:
      April 22, 2011 at 8:04

      adios Fabregas, hope you are happy riding the pine in Spain. Nasri is a more than competent replacement, talent wise and more importantly at this stage for Arsenal captaincy wise. It is clear Cesc has given up on the team that gave him his opportunity on the big stage and will forego his development for the sake of gathering medals with which he has little or no part of contributing to winning. My only hope is Arsenal use the very, very inflated price they will undoubtedly get from either Barca or Real for his limited services and buy a more than serviceable goaltender, center back, and striker. Seems a win win situation to all parties involved.

      Reply to this comment »
      • Dave says:
        April 22, 2011 at 9:49

        Have you watched the games when we didn’t have Cesc in the team, we didn’t play all that well and that’s including Nasri in the side. Nasri is far from ready to fill in for Cesc if or should it be when he leaves Arsenal. I don’t why you think Nasri is captain material, you’ve seen the spats he had with the likes of Gallas and other players. Also, he’s not very vocal in the pitch and lacks leadership skills unlike true captains we had in the past like Adams and Vieira was when they were at Arsenal.

        Reply to this comment »
      • kelly says:
        April 22, 2011 at 11:11

        nasri is more like tevez and less like fabregas.he can’t even f*****ng distribute only makes five yard passes.ramsey is the better playmaker.second fabregas has had an injury plagued season and barca are not likely to risk their money on another ‘rosicky/van der vaart situation’ so i am very skeptical about this transfer.

        Reply to this comment »
        • Dave says:
          April 22, 2011 at 12:11

          I agree with what you said about Nasri. He’s a different player to Cesc. Plus he makes very few assists every season since coming to Arsenal.

          Reply to this comment »
          • ricky jovay says:
            April 23, 2011 at 0:40

            i think if cesc goes, then get sneijder in , i think thats a good replacement.

            Reply to this comment »
            • Danielle says:
              April 23, 2011 at 2:02

              Too late Man United have agreed to buy him.

              Reply to this comment »
  • A.D. says:
    April 22, 2011 at 5:35

    It’s about time Fabregas left. He hasn’t found the form of previous seasons & his heart is no longer with the club. Ramsey is waiting in the wings and the Wilshere/Ramsey partnership would be interesting. I doubt if Parker fits the Wenger philosophy.

    Reply to this comment »
    • darin says:
      April 22, 2011 at 8:20

      scott parker, I think not. I agree Arsenal needs grit but they have Song to fit that roll. What they need is a reliable keeper, another decent center back to team with Vermaelen next season, and a second world class striker.

      Reply to this comment »
      • Hunter says:
        April 22, 2011 at 20:34

        And a real leader on the pitch and that’s where Parker could be a real help. It does no good having a bunch of good players if they have no leader and collapse under pressure every time.

        Reply to this comment »
  • rajini says:
    April 22, 2011 at 5:56

    scott parker cesc replacement ????? have you gone mad. how can you justify replacing a world class player with average player that wont even get a first team place in some top teams.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Bob the Gunner says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:00

    If Scotty Parker can replace Fabregas, then Ameobi can replace Van Persie.

    Reply to this comment »
  • mano'gunner says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:00

    Seeing how the don balon issue is playing out, Fab will probably leave. He said Wenger should change his ways and we all know how Wenger feels about that (I hope I’m wrong).

    Reply to this comment »
    • SeattleGooner says:
      April 22, 2011 at 17:07

      Lol how uninformed you are. Just keep swallowing what the tabloids spin you. If you read the whole interview, not just the chopped and twisted tabloid take, you get a much better sense of the situation.

      Reply to this comment »
    • Danielle says:
      April 23, 2011 at 2:08

      Fab was 100% right in what he said. He’s told us and if us fans fail to listen them it’s us who lose out not him cos he’s going to Barca anyways!

      Reply to this comment »
  • Jack Straw says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:13

    The “Fabregas isn’t playing well because his heart is set on Barca” argument is so lazy. Ignoring the fact that it is virtually impossible for a fan to accurately interpret a player’s desires or motivations based on how they play, what is the explanation for the many good games that he has played for Arsenal this season? Was he somehow able to focus himself for those matches? He has had a difficult season with injuries, which for someone his age and number of games played really shouldn’t be surprising. He even said recently that he hasn’t been right since the Blackburn match. He’ll be here next season – Barca won’t pay enough and we don’t need to sell. Perhaps he’ll be sold after next season , but he has too long of a contract for Arsenal to be bullied this summer.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Aussie Jack says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:24

    Cesc Fabregas deserved better company from the beginning but it never came, he is now playing at the same level as those around him. He`s only young but he`s playing like he is thirty plus. Go to Barcelona Cesc don`t waste your time and career with a nursery full of kids and a stubborn boss. Maybe then Wenger will wake up.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Paddy O'Neill says:
      April 22, 2011 at 14:16

      I agree with you that Cesc should go to Barcelona but not that Wenger will wake up. He won’t

      Reply to this comment »
    • Danielle says:
      April 23, 2011 at 2:10

      AGREE TOTALLY. Cesc has been lied to about the clubs ambitions just like we fans have.

      Reply to this comment »
  • Aussie Jack says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:30

    Having made comments about Fabregas`s future I can honestly say that unless there is silver on the table next season Wenger will retire. This is crunch time and I think Kroenke will make sure Wenger knows where he stands. He will not interfere but he`ll tell him “for past services you get one more roll of the dice” full stop.

    Reply to this comment »
    • SeattleGooner says:
      April 23, 2011 at 3:09

      maybe. tough to say, considering how PHW and Gazidis are head over heels for Wenger. And why wouldn’t they be? Arsene Wenger is great at maintaining the status quo, which keeps Arsenal ownership swimming in cash.

      Reply to this comment »
  • tommy says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:51

    I think Nasri can take over for Cesc, and this might be what he’s waiting for regarding his contract, to see what Wenger has planned. Nasri can run the France midfield, why can’t he runs Arsenals? He likes playing in the middle and he might leave if Wenger keeps him out on the wing. I say give it to him, and get a Parker/Ramsey combo to spell him

    Reply to this comment »
    • Stillagooner says:
      April 22, 2011 at 7:59

      When the season started Nasri was playing in Fabregas’s position and hit top form. He proved that that is where he belongs. He might not deliver passes like Fabregas does but he is full of goals there and a much bigger threat than Fabregas. On Wednesday, the only time he drifted into the center, he scored a great goal. Now I’m no soccer fundi but clearly, Nasri plays better football from the center.

      Reply to this comment »
      • gerry dee says:
        April 22, 2011 at 22:15

        thank you. just because his distribution may not consist of delicious long balls, doesn’t mean he doesn’t play his best game in the middle

        Reply to this comment »
  • dinesh s says:
    April 22, 2011 at 6:52

    the reality is no one can replace the caliber of fabregas;.. it wil b very hard to fill in his shoes…i hope he doesnt leave…

    Reply to this comment »
  • Hunter says:
    April 22, 2011 at 7:06

    We need to keep Cesc AND bring Parker in. The rest of what he said is correct. We don’t need someone who will be good in 3 or 4 years, we need someone now. No more projects until the ones we have are either done developing or gotten rid of.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Milz says:
      April 22, 2011 at 7:30

      Fabregas can go to Barca as long as we get Mascherano and Affelay if they can exchange Etoo and Hleb for Zlatan why not?

      Reply to this comment »
      • Hunter says:
        April 22, 2011 at 7:33

        Neither of them are the play-maker type that Cesc is so they won’t be much help in that regard. We would need to bring in someone like Snjieder or Van Der Vaart. Affelay still hasn’t proven he can do it since he has been riding the bench at Barca. I would much rather have Ryo here than Affelay.

        Reply to this comment »
        • Paddy O'Neill says:
          April 22, 2011 at 14:18

          Is this the Van de Vaart at Tottenham or is there another one. RVP begged Wenger to sign him but he said NO – he went to Spuds and is doing rather well.

          Reply to this comment »
          • Danielle says:
            April 23, 2011 at 2:12

            Great bit of business by the Yids. £8m was Van Der Vaart fee.

            Reply to this comment »
  • The BearMan says:
    April 22, 2011 at 7:30

    I admire the brave heart of Scott Parker, but as the player to replace Fabergas, someone has lost a crew. Parker in the Arsenal team will at strength and team spirit. Losing Fabergas will be a major loss. Please folks let us not be narrow in our thinking, we are starting to sound like Mr. Wenger. He thinks French, some of us only think English.

    We must look at every player Worldwide in that position and consider who is best. It appears some of us expect Fabergas to singlehandedly win trophies for Arsenal. That fete not even Merson was capable of. What position is West Ham, is that Parker’s fault? Fabergas needs to play alongside quality players to achieve his potential and so would Parker. Tony Adams, needed the likes of T Henry, Patrick V, Dennis Bergkamp etc, etc…. to achieve invincibility!

    Let us not be guilty of being narrow in our thinking. Cahill was very disappointing against Stoke last weekend. It is a team and not simply one outstanding individual.

    Reply to this comment »
    • ROKUDAIME says:
      April 22, 2011 at 8:00

      the best comment post so far

      Reply to this comment »
      • toni says:
        April 22, 2011 at 12:17

        i agree

        Reply to this comment »
  • Collin Sibiya says:
    April 22, 2011 at 8:00

    He is right Parker is experienced and he can motivate these young players

    Reply to this comment »
    • Danielle says:
      April 23, 2011 at 2:15

      WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?

      Parker flopped big time at Chelsea. Has Arsenal now become the club for Chelsea rejects/flops?

      I dont want Parker or Cahill. Both have been overhyped. I would prefer Samba (Blackburn) and Van Bommel.

      Reply to this comment »
  • clockendrider says:
    April 22, 2011 at 8:34

    This article would be interesting if Merson knew any more than you or me. Unfortunately he is just a recovering alcoholic former junkie who has spunked all his money on the horses and will say anything to anyone who will pay him a fiver. He has no club links anymore. And, as we see on Sky Soccer Saturday every week, all you need to do is set him up with a leading question and he will trot out whatever line the questioner wants him to take. He has no capacity for independent thought. It’s about time everyone started seeing through this man for the money grabbing charlatan he is.

    Reply to this comment »
  • el_capitan says:
    April 22, 2011 at 8:47

    Cesc ll leave n may b if Nasri leaves too then v should sign Sahin as Fab’s replacement…Parker to add steel to the midfield…A.Young/Hazard for Nasri on the wings n finally Cahill for the defence…problem solved.

    Reply to this comment »
    • The BearMan says:
      April 22, 2011 at 9:34

      Cahill reminded me of Squallaci playing at Wembly last weekend. Out of position, poor passing, did not inspire the back line. Stoke walked all over them and his contribution was less than average. Is he the man to inspire confidence in Arsenal’s defense or are we replacing one Squallaci for another. Think Arsenal not just national pride!

      Value for money and quality not about buying solely British!

      Come on talk football, we need another Adams! Steel, leader ship quality, work horse, great header of the ball, never die attitude rain or shine, a defensive genius!

      Reply to this comment »
      • Dave says:
        April 22, 2011 at 9:59

        If you’re going to judge how good a player is based on one game like you did with Cahill, then the likes of Koscielny, Squillaci, Szczęsny and many more shouldn’t even be at the club. What about the other games where Cahill played well? He’s more reliable than Squillaci who’s suppose to be this great experience defender because he played in the Champions League.

        Reply to this comment »
        • Hunter says:
          April 22, 2011 at 16:44

          If you are judging over a few games there are players who shouldn’t be at the club and those are the ones the fans are getting very annoyed about. I happen to think Squilacci is a much better player than Koscielny but neither of them should be in our starting XI.

          Reply to this comment »
          • Dave says:
            April 23, 2011 at 2:58

            Honestly, both have shown they are not good enough, imo. But as long as we bring in a quality CB we badly need in the summer, I’m fine with Squilacci and Koscielny as backup CBs. But judging from Wenger’s recent comments that’s probably not going to happen.

            Reply to this comment »
  • steve. says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:17

    CESC YOUR TOO GOOD FOR ARSENAL,TELL THE FRENCHMAN TO GET STUFFED,
    “AND I’M OFF” DON’T WASTE ANYMORE TIME WITH WENGER HE’S LOST IT.

    Reply to this comment »
  • matt says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:18

    el capitan, i love the way u say problem solved like it’s the easiest thing on earth!

    Reply to this comment »
  • Nick says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:24

    If Parker does move to Arsenal, he will only warm the bench

    Reply to this comment »
  • David says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:26

    WE NEED TO SELL CESC FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! THANK HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE.

    WE should sell Cesc to Barc for $40m plus Afellay…As Barc will not pay us the $50m alot of people think Cesc is worth, so we may as well get the best we can get from the deal.

    With the signing of Afellay move Nasri Inside with and Afellay going to the left or right wing as dude can play on both.

    With the $40m we should take $20-25m and buy Benzema. As we need some else up front as Chamakh, is not the GUY for when when RVP is missing for 20-25 games a season.

    Next use the remaining money from the Cesc, deal to buy a DM in the making of De Jong (someone who will not pass the half-way line unless its to make a tackle, but can also pass the ball well Mascherano, Gago or Parker any would be nice.

    Now we still have are transfer budget to spend Hazard and a CB done.

    Sale: Bendtner, Rosický, Arshavin, Diaby, Eboué and Clichy if he keeps playing silly over has contract

    Now what all these signings will do is create competition in the squad as all the old players that we keep, will be pushed for starts by the hungry new signs and returning loan kids (Frimpong*, Lansbury, Coquelin, Pedro Botelho, Miyaichi and Afobe)

    As I think one of the biggest problems at are club, is some players know they are going to start each week even if they are Crap for 4-5 games in a row. Song, Cesc, Arshavin and to some extant Clichy and Sagna all know that the players behind them are not really good enough to worry them into thinking if I keep playing bad it may be me on the bench for the next 2-3 games as Denlison, Rosicky and Diaby are looking great in training and that 20min they played off the bench in the last game put my 70min to shame.

    But if Song has got a hungry Parker, Frimpong and Coquelin pushing him he will have to step his game up or risk being on the bench for a while… Same can be said for Wilshere, don’t get me wrong the boy has been amazing this season but who has he got to worry about???? He has not got anyone pushing him to that next level but next season with Lansbury and Ramsey pushing for a starts this can only improve him and them. Same goes for Walcott having Hazard, Afeally, Botelho and Miyaichi pushing for starts will get the better out of him and them.

    Reply to this comment »
    • The BearMan says:
      April 22, 2011 at 9:40

      William instead of Benzema go back and do a little more homework.

      Reply to this comment »
    • matt says:
      April 22, 2011 at 10:37

      if u want benzema for 25 mil there wont be any money left for a defensive midfielder as the rest of the 40 mil will go towards his and affelays wages. All money for transfers is for wages and signing on as well as transfer fee

      Reply to this comment »
      • David says:
        April 22, 2011 at 14:31

        @ The Bearman – William is a very nice player, BUT it looks like he will be a Inter or AC milan player next season not to mention that Barc and Chelsea are looking at him. We dont have the pulling power over those clubs.

        @ Matt – if we sell Denlison $6-8m who is on 50k a week, Bendtner $10-12m on £60k a week , $ 4-6m Rosický on 60-70k a week ,Arshavin $10-12m on 90k a week ,Diaby on $8m 50-60k a week, Eboué $5-6m on 40-50k a week and Clichy $14-16m on 60-70k, You soon start to see with the money we get from the transfers and wages we save /cut. We can afford all the players in my post with there wages.

        Reply to this comment »
    • arzenal says:
      April 22, 2011 at 15:12

      i dont think benzema will cost 25m unless madrid keep hold of adebayor and/or by aguero than they will offload him but be warned other clubs will definately be after him e.g MAN U

      Reply to this comment »
    • Danielle says:
      April 23, 2011 at 2:24

      Benzema wont come from Real Madrid.

      BUT Sell Cesc to Barca for £35m + Affelay. Spend £15m on Drogba (Chelsea), £10m on Samba (Blackburn), £10m on Steklenberg (Ajax) & Van Bommel (available on a free transfer from AC Milan and wants to play in England)

      Also SELL Bendtner, Rosicky, Denilson, Almunia, Traore, Eastmond, Squillacci, Fabianski, Mannone = £25m and BUY Hazard

      Reply to this comment »
  • Gooner says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:48

    Nasri is full of goals from the middle. But so is El Captain. Remember last season 19 goals in all comps was it? And the great passing was still there. But RvP was out for most of season. Nasri will might score loads from the middle but those great passes he is incapable of. This season has not been our skippers best. He needs a rest. Last year after that injury against barca he didnt really recover, had to go and win spain the world cup. Once he recovers fully we will see our 15+ goals and maybe 20+ assits is RVP is in the team. Lets face is. Arsenal are a much better side when he is playinghe is one of our few world class players. Only kaka will do better though he is injury prone.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Paddy O'Neill says:
      April 22, 2011 at 14:25

      Be Realistic – Cesc is GONE

      Reply to this comment »
    • arzenal says:
      April 22, 2011 at 15:17

      we shuld of gt ozil or van de vart- they could of been are super subs , both totenham and madrid gt them for pennies why we spend on basicaly shite players

      Reply to this comment »
      • Hunter says:
        April 22, 2011 at 20:30

        Totally agree. It’s almost like Arsene won’t buy a big name even if they come at a great price. Look what he did with Kompany who wanted to come to us more than any other team. He went to City for only 6 million and is arguably the best defender in the league but Arsene refused to buy him even though we were in dire need. Same thing with Ozil and Van Der Vaart. RVP and Van Der Vaart were both trying to get him a move to Arsenal and he went to Spurs for only 8 million. We could have let Denilson and Rosicky go to fun the move.

        These are the kinds of decisions that make me think Arsene has lost the plot.

        Reply to this comment »
  • The BearMan says:
    April 22, 2011 at 9:49

    What Arsenal fans and supporters have to think outside the box. A player maybe having a good season, but can they function in the Arsenal team. We cannot afford to spend BiG money on players and have them come and learn the game. They have to fit in immediately and play at a higher level than the person they are replacing.

    Reply to this comment »
  • The BearMan says:
    April 22, 2011 at 10:11

    Come on Merson don’t be lazy. Go back to the drawing board and list all the players available and not simply pick the first name that comes to mind.

    List all the CB available, strengths and weaknesses. All the Midfielders, Strikers etc, etc. Make a good argument otherwise you are not contributing to sound discussion. You will rightly be considered a stirrer!

    Your suggestion to replace Cesc with Parker only highlights laziness on your part. Come on you can do better?

    Reply to this comment »
  • Dave says:
    April 22, 2011 at 10:13

    Scott Parker and Gary Cahill would be good addition to the team, not because they are English but they’re already adapted to the EPL. Since Song will be missing for a month since he plays in the African Cup Nations and honestly, he has been as good this season compared to last season, it’s good to have Parker on the side. But we still need Fabregas as neither Nasri and Wilshere is ready to replace Cesc, just watching the games we played without him, even with Jack and Samir playing. Before scoring against the spuds, Nasri wasn’t exactly playing all that well for the past few weeks.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Davi says:
      April 22, 2011 at 10:21

      “Nasri wasn’t exactly playing all that well for the past few weeks” – he wasn’t that bad either though, and it’s not like fabregas has been on great form all season. There have been times that he probably wasn’t justifying his place in the side.

      Reply to this comment »
      • Dave says:
        April 22, 2011 at 10:34

        Well, if you look at how average we look when Cesc isn’t in the side, we need him more than other people think. Nasri had the chances to see if he can replace Cesc but so far it’s still a no. Besides, Nasri is a different type of player to Cesc, he doesn’t have range of passes like Cesc does. He’s more of a player that plays behind the striker and dribble past defenders than laying deep like Cesc does where he can make those killer passes. Probably why Cesc has more assists than Nasri who has only one in the EPL.

        Reply to this comment »
    • Danielle says:
      April 23, 2011 at 2:27

      Have you actually seen Cahill play? He’s not as good as Koschielny, stop listening to the media BS!!!

      Reply to this comment »
  • Davi says:
    April 22, 2011 at 10:15

    This might work if we switched back to 4-4-2. Two of song, wilshere, parker, ramsey, diaby in the centre would do the job. Wilshere can also play wide. We don’t need a lot of creativity in the middle really. Our midfield used to be gilberto and vieira/edu.
    We could then use theo or vela as strikers with rvp or bendtner, and that would get the best out of them.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Davi says:
      April 22, 2011 at 10:37

      In a way, fabregas has caused wenger’s entire way of playing, which won him many titles, to change. Imo it may have been better to develop cesc as a support striker in the bergkamp role, rather than a central midfielder. We have always won things giving our creative players freedom out wide, which doesn’t seem to suit cesc, and playing two large central midfielders who could tackle and protect the defence 1st and foremost.

      Reply to this comment »
  • Gooner92 says:
    April 22, 2011 at 10:35

    Can someone tell me what award is better PFA or FWA player of the year?
    Personally I think PFA

    Reply to this comment »
  • Robbie says:
    April 22, 2011 at 11:01

    There is going to be a civil war amongst the AKB’s and the AMG’s soon… The AMG’s are completely destroying the club… What Arsene has built will last us a lifetime, some fans just want temporary success… If you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day. If you teach a man how to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime…

    A lot of ex-Arsenal players from the late 90’s owe the latter depths of their careers to Wenger, yet all they do is criticise him. I think he is owed a lot more respect than he is getting and is definitely showing more class.

    You can’t run a football club like a game of championship manager… Selling Fabregas and buying Parker would be a disaster… You wouldn’t save yourself much money and I don’t believe Parker is anywhere near Cescs standards. If he wanted leave he would have gone, what people need to respect is that he is still at Arsenal because he loves Arsenal.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Chris says:
      April 22, 2011 at 11:08

      We always appreciate it when fans from other teams pay us a visit but please note that is it against our rules to ask Arsenal fans to start supporting your team so your Chelsea part was removed.

      Reply to this comment »
    • Danielle says:
      April 23, 2011 at 2:34

      Agree we should not replace Cesc with Parker. But you also say, “What Arsene has built will last us a lifetime”. Tell me what has Arsene built?

      If you are referring to a youth academy. Tell me who has been a success apart from Wilshere? Dont say Ramsey as he was bought from Cardiff. Our academy is not even as good as Aston Villas, and that is the truth!!!

      Reply to this comment »
  • The BearMan says:
    April 22, 2011 at 11:06

    Now some people are starting to think – Great! I have every intention to watching Cahill in the Fulham game. Cahill looks a quiet player to me, can he live up to what all Arsenal fans expect of him – another Tony Adams? Yes he is strong and has good agility and balance, but how is he in defending crosses and playing against teams like Man U, Man C, Blackburn, Chelsea. What about the likes of Barca? How is he as an attacking player? Say, we have one opportunity to win a game, would you prefer to have Mertesacker or Cahill to attack the opposition goal with a header? Parker I know would put his head where few will ever dare.

    Reply to this comment »
    • Dave says:
      April 22, 2011 at 11:51

      What’s the alternative? Doing the Arsene Wenger way in the bringing in inexperience youngsters like we got plenty of them lining up ready to stand-in for Djourou or TV if they get injured or buying mediocre defenders from an inferior league compared to the EPL like the French or Belgium league so Wenger can save some money. Are these the way to go in solving our defensive problems? Hasn’t quite worked out in years for Wenger. I’m fine with the likes of Mertesacker or Cahill to be brought to the club, those players are better options than the defenders Wenger brought in for the past few seasons.

      Reply to this comment »
  • MikE says:
    April 22, 2011 at 11:09

    i agree we do not want another babe (we have wilshere already) but not a 30 year old who would swallow-up a large chunk of the money we get for cesc in terms of fee and salary. someone 25ish would be ideal.

    just maybe cole who hasn’t fitted in ‘up north’ ?

    Reply to this comment »
    • krysler the gonnner says:
      April 23, 2011 at 5:28

      cole isnt good enough mate.. he isnt good @liverpool so i dont think he is good enough to fill in cesc role. i would prefer an english player like gerrard but i know i cant even dream about him wearing an arsenal jersey :)

      city’s david silva would be great but just too expensive and i dont think city would let him go!
      so we only have Parker :(

      Reply to this comment »
  • emhardy says:
    April 22, 2011 at 11:55

    the big problem of of arsenal is as simple as.arsenal dont have a power horse player,n if u look at the midfield song wilsh cesc non of them can stay behind the central line they all like to go forword.if we can get scotty then one good striker then alright.players like almunia,denilson,bentdner,squillah aint worth of wearing the red n white shirt wenger need to kick them ass

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  • toni says:
    April 22, 2011 at 11:59

    scott parker for fabulous fabragas? emhhhhhhhh someone here just does not want us really out of mess. excuse me i beg to differ.

    Reply to this comment »
  • naijagooner0001 says:
    April 22, 2011 at 13:53

    No probs let Fabregas go let Scott come I hope Wenger listens

    Reply to this comment »
  • arzenal says:
    April 22, 2011 at 15:07

    I would rather see a wc striker come in than parker, madrid will probably take addebayor in summer since moruinhi is fond of him and madrid had a bid turned down by athleico madrid for5 s.agueuro, either go in and get aguero , or let madrid get him and we could either get higain or benzema who are young and will not be happy on the bench. Bring in hazard since nasri is not a proper winger and he gives more effort than squillaci, and finally a no-noncense dm or cb such as mertersackerw who are born leader and fighters and can get us out of doggy long ball fight with the stoke and briminghams.

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  • Ismail Funtua says:
    April 22, 2011 at 17:25

    If today were April 1st, i did say this is the most bizzare april-fool of all time: Cesc is far more experienced than all the new generation of ENGLISH midfielders with the exemption of only SG. An injury free FAB is an ideal arsenal great and a 100% committed arsenal player,,a true gunner wouldn’t b thinkin of selling his captain or doubting his commitment. Moreover, ARSENAL are more financially healthier than BARCA, meaning, we should b purchasing frm them not selling to them. How about, buying Zlatan and taking Seidou Keita on loan from them, compliment that with the purchase of Edin Hazard and Tim Cahill. FAB IS GOIN NO WHERE.

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  • jack says:
    April 22, 2011 at 18:13

    He must of had his usual drink or two before the interview.

    Reply to this comment »
  • Danielle says:
    April 23, 2011 at 1:58

    OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe what I am reading.

    If Arsenal FC replace Fabregas with Scott Parker, then we truely will be a total joke. Parker is good for West Ham, I REPEAT, GOOD FOR SERIAL RELEGATION CANDIDATES WEST HAM! He FAILED at Chelsea FC. So Merson is saying we replace WORLD CLASS Midfielder Fabregas with CHELSEA REJECT Parker. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! When we moved to the Emirates we were promised we would be able to compete for signings with Man U, Chelsea, Real Madrid etc. This has not happened and we have been lied to. Instead we compete with the likes of Aston Villa for signings, this has got to change. Even Spurs are bidding for players like Kun Aguero.

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  • krysler the gonnner says:
    April 23, 2011 at 5:20

    lets get Mikel Arteta!! i dont think he gonna leave for barcelona :D

    Reply to this comment »
  • Arsenal Fan says:
    April 23, 2011 at 12:58

    Apart from just saying that we need strikers and goalkeepers, and saying that Arsenal should have got strikers and attacking-minded midfielders, I think we need to get a Patrick Vieira-esque player. A box-to-box midfielder, a true leader with great strength, who tirelessly works offensively and defensively.
    We have got enough strikers, and time and time again, we have the capability to score goals, even against the big teams – for example, Liverpool, Barcelona, Tottenham recently. In short, what Arsenal need is someone who does the job in the middle to pass the ball, to tackle cleanly but decisively, who blocks shots in the dying minutes, but also is not scared to shoot from 18 yards out, which ultimately to some extent won us major games during the ‘Invincibles’ era. Maybe that player is Parker? We also had the players like midfielder Ray Parlour and defender Sol Campbell, who are two examples of whom aided us to slot in many wonder strikes. In my opinion, this sort of full team goal-threat should come back again, or at least more often. Thanks for reading.

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  • the3rd says:
    May 23, 2011 at 9:37

    Wenger’s needlessly coy attitude towards transfer intentions will prevent a like-for-like replacement for Cesc. Supposedly ManU are spending 35 mil for Sneijder. When Barca was talking about a 50 mil price for Cesc, he should have started finalizing the deal. A bidding war with ManU could have wiped out any financial gain, but Arsenal might end up with a creative MF that is happy playing in North London. Now they could be shopping for guys like Parker.

    Reply to this comment »
  • nasgunner says:
    August 5, 2011 at 11:57

    I think Scott Parker is an excellent replacement. Not that he has the same creative quality as cesc, but considering that Alex Song may be out of action during the January African Cup Of Nations, Parker could cover his place. He also has the leadership quality and experience that the team has lacked snce Patrick Viera.

    Reply to this comment »
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