Fair Play or Foul! Dempsey at Fulham V [R]

Hi, you need to stop trying to make this into a debate between Dempsey supporters and people who "don't rate" him. This is not a thread about what you think other posters think about Clint Dempsey.

 

This is the second time you have said this and it really is about people not rating CD to play for a team like Arsenal. English players have a hard enough time seeing the pitch for the Gunners, much less an American.

How about giving us just 15 more hours to play 'what-if' on dempsey to arsenal?

 

Hi, play "what if" all you like, but don't turn this into a thread about other posters. We don't do that in YA, never have, and aren't going to start now. You don't get to "call out" posters in threads like this and drag down discussion for everybody else. This is precisely why we had to put a stop to the hater/fanboy crap in Freddy threads. This is not up for discussion.

 

ok- btw, this is potentially the biggest transfer in the 100+ year history of US soccer.

 

Fulham want £10m for Dempsey. Arsenal's final bid yesterday was £7m, after climbing from £5m. Today, Arsenal increased their bid to £8m. Inching closer to a deal.

More to come.

 

Worse players have suited up for Arsenal. But, Dempsey apparently has other clubs after him and well the Arsenal thing could be false. It is not about if you think he is good enough or not. I have talked to some Arsenal fans and they seem fine with it. (Ones that actually live in England.)

Just wait.

 

Holy crap I hope this is true.

 

Link?

 

I'm pretty sure when people post cryptic, juicy info with the words "More to come," they either can't or won't provide a link.

 

If Dempsey was able to score double digits with Fulham, imagine what he could do at a club like Arsenal... Having players like Van Persie to work with instead of Andy Johnson.

Seems like a long shot, but given the post-1990 history of US soccer it's awesome that we're able to even talk about this with a straight face. Way to go Clint!

 

If Arsenal or anyone walked in to open with a 5M GBP bid, they were clowning. For real.

 

Why are people acting like every link to news about Dempsey is wrong because it would so impossible for an American to play for Arsenal?

He's one the best attacking midfielders in the Premiership. I'm only surprised it took this long to see him linked to a Champions League club.

 

For me it's not so much that as he just doesn't fit with Arsenal's style. I do want it to be true, though, so badly.

 

Nice game of chicken here by the Fulham FC.

They have Ruiz. Owner willing to take the draw-down based on anticipated EL earnings? Arsenal at 8mm is probably better than they thought they would get. 8.3 or something is a final offer. Whites pull the trigger.

Ruiz was the key. Always nice to be in the catbird seat for these things.

 

No one's actually doing this.

 

Not yet. He still hasn't signed on the dotted line and there are rumors of a few other clubs trying to hijack the deal.

 

Fair point. But pretty hard to get this far into bed without closing hte deal. I know there are probably a number of instances where it has gone further without, ehm, consummation.

 

I think the tactical considerations are largely a red herring as well in this decision.

Wenger is a master tactician, and he can design systems around
his talent. As let's be real: even with Nasri and Fabergas, they
were having trouble scoring and winning- the system is not perfect.
For all the pretty play in the first 2/3, there is obviously huge problem in final 1/3...Arsenal gets static, over-pass, over-think, play pretty soft,
and fail to show killer instinct. The problem has gotten worse since Nasri and Fabergas physically and mentally have checked out the door.

So a little tinkering is already in order.

He also know Dempsey is versatile and can play different positions,
adapt. Surrounded by talent, Dempsey could do better in a new position
vs. saying playing center forward at Fulham with no service.

So if Wenger's interest in Dempsey is true, I wouldn't get hung
up on tactical fit. Wenger can design systems in his sleep.

I think the (formerly) intangibles play a big role here and precedent
over both tactics and technique in this decision (although you obviously have to have strong technique to play for Arsenal)

I'm just wondering what Dempsey's first goal celebration for Arsenal would look like: would he bring out the big cannons (a la Schwarzeneggar) and fire into the crowd, or what? Joey Barton used to do something like that, eh
(or was it Keane?)

 

Any links on the Arsenal bid stuff, or is that just pure speculation?

As for Dempsey being good enough, only 3 guys who either were midfielders or played significant time in MF scored more goals than Clint's 12 last year. And the all played for much better offensive teams.

Malouda (Chelsea), Kuyt (Liverpool), and Van der Vaart (Spurs) all had 13. Charlie Adam had 12 for Blackpool, and he moved to Liverpool. That is pretty rare air, and Fulham is pretty low in the pecking order. It's natural for bigger clubs to be interested (see, Adam).

As for Arsenal's style. I think that is part of the problem. They need more Vieira physical types. And they need some physical presence in front of goal with better skills than Bendtner. Espcially now that Fabergas and Nasri are gone. They need defenders who can defend, not defenders who can pass. Change in the air for sure.

 

I think Dempsey's versatility and creativity would be a good fit in a more free-flowing style that Wenger's teams usually play.

Thing is, though, that Dempsey takes a LOT of shots for Fulham (because there aren't a lot of other good options). At any better team, he's going to need to be more selective. Maybe that's not a problem at Arsenal or Seville because he won't need to "try shit" as much when his teammates are scoring more goals. Dunno. Would be interesting to see.

 

You raise a good point. I think in that scenario Clint WOULD adapt and we would see even more of the 'passer' Clint than the long range shooter.

The great thing about Arsenal, though, is that you make a pass in the final 1/3, you actually can expect to get it back. That is a new, exciting world for Clint, one I think he'll relish.

I think his passing is underrated, and we haven't seen the full scope of what he can do- because Fulham doesn't have the greatest movement in the final 1/3. Clint's got great vision and can deliver the surprise ball w/proper weight and if he transfers to Arsenal, his teammates will eat that up.

I just hope he would not get TOO pass friendly in that environment! That has been Arsenal's problem all along! I certainly think Clint's long runs in the box from deep and dominating headers on goal adds an element Arsenal has been missing.

 

the latest update on Goal (I know I know), is that Arsenal are interested, but are focusing more on trying to secure Yann M'Vila than they are Dempsey.

Now, a Spanish Champions League team would be interesting. We can more than likely rule out Barca and Madrid, so that leaves Villareal and Valencia. Now judging by the 2 rosters, in my opinion, Valencia is the better fit for him.

 

Quick update on Arsenal's other moves:

They've signed 2 defenders:
*Andre Santos
*Per Mertesacker

They seem to be pursuing Miralem Sulejmani of Ajax who is a winger/striker.

Also I think I just saw on Sky Sports that they had a loan bid for Yossi Benayoun rejected.

Interesting tidbit from the Mertesacker article:
"The Guardian in London is reporting Arsenal could make three more signings on Wednesday, with Clint Dempsey also being linked to a Gunners squad set to add Christopher Samba, Yann M'Vila and Marvin Martin."

 

This would actually be useful at Arsenal, since one of the most frustrating things about watching them play is their belief that the only goals worth scoring are those that are dribbled across the line.

 

"Arsenal is soft" is what we have heard forever under Wenger. Wenger likes creative types with good feet. Hmmmm...sounds like a no brainer. Dempsey has good skills and technique, is hard as nails, especially in front of the goal, and he is a proven top EPL player. He's been starved for service at Fulham.