Ray Parlour believes Scott Parker is the answer to Arsenal’s midfield problems, not Joey Barton – is the former Arsenal midfielder right?
Rumours are beginning to surface that Arsene Wenger is preparing a shock move for the Newcastle man this summer, in an attempt to add a little ‘bite’ to his midfield next season. However, Parlour, who won three Premier League titles under Wenger, recently told talkSPORT that the Gunners should be looking at the West Ham skipper rather than Barton.
The ex-Gunner told the Weekend Sports Breakfast:
‘They do need strength in the midfield but I’d go for Scotty Parker.’
‘Scotty has proved that he can do it internationally and I think he’d fit in very easily and it would be a great move as well.’
‘He’s got all you need from a midfield player. He breaks things up, he’s a good tackler, he drives things on as he has done for West Ham. He’s been a one-man-team for West Ham this season so I would pick him.’
He goes onto say:
‘Joey Barton has knuckled down a bit better but he’s been playing on the right-hand side for Newcastle but for me the way Arsenal play I think Parker would fit in perfectly in that holding role in front of the back four. He’s not going to get up and down like he used to but he’s got the experience now and he’s been at some big clubs.’
If I had to pick one out of the two, then I would go for Scotty Parker, as I think he is a better overall player than Barton.
Despite being older than Joey by two years, I just feel the Hammers captain possesses more heart and desire, as well as technical ability, than that of the Newcastle midfielder (just my opinion of course).
Without a doubt, both players are tough-tackling, tenacious midfielders, but I think Barton’s attitude lets him down slightly. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the 28-year-old midfielder is a good player, I just think his behaviour wouldn’t appeal to Wenger.
Parker carries more Premier League experience under his belt than that of Barton (five to be exact) and has played for ‘bigger’ clubs in the past. I also believe he would form a better partnership alongside Jack Wilshere, of whom he has already played with in an England shirt on a number of occasions.
If history has taught us anything, Wenger will go for the cheaper option, and considering the Hammers dropped to the Championship, then Parker should realistically cost less than Barton.
The fact of the matter is we need a resolute midfielder amongst our ranks, and whether you guys agree with me or not is entirely up to you, but I strongly believe that Parker is the man to add ‘bite’ to our line-up next season.
Who would you guys prefer to see in an Arsenal shirt next season – Parker or Barton?
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scott parker is slow and turns too often with the ball
Joey Barton without a doubt. A Joey Barton, Jack Wilshere midfield backed by Samba and Cahill as centrebacks will have opponents quacking in their boots. That is what arsenal need, an in-your- face midfield and dominant centrehalfs.
i prefer parker 99% to barton,wenger should sign parker immediately or get fired
Scott Parker!
either would provide a bit of grit in the midfield, i am not bothered which one…..it would be a shock if wenger chose barton, given his reputation…but i would be impressed with wenger’s change in attitude towards these types of players
scott parker ov coz
barton ..he is more creative and a good dead ball specialist.
Joey Barton is the most prefered not Scot who is overrated & over priced.
Is this a rhetorical question? It is immeasurably silly if it is not.
I would really like to see Parker pull on an Arsenal shirt. We need more experienced leader types.
I’ve wanted to see a Barton like player since PV4 left a void. It is the number one key position which has been the difference between us winning things and what we’ve been doing, winning nothing. The keepers and defenders would be 40% more effective with a player like Barton roaming in front of them. Song needs to be a Centre-half. Parker is great, he’s got an admirable work-rate, yet Barton comes with the same talents but with some extra ones too, mainly his reputation, his thuggishness and his ability to lift a team single handedly to inspire a 4-4 comeback. Yeah, with Barton you have a psychological edge. He’s a player who loves being hated, but how much of that hatred is earned by being overly determined to win, to put one in for the team-mate who is being picked on by the thug from another team.
How much of a handful would Messi be after a Barton tackle? Would he be eager for more? What about Messi’s fans and manager who can see an Eduardo injury on the cards .. and more importantly, so can Messi himself.
Parker does not possess this power and people should realise as much of a thug Barton is, he’s technically good and doesn’t get booked as often as people might think. Jack is tough tackler too in the vein of England legend Paul Scholes, so with him and Barton in the arena, fancy midfields like Barcelona are going to be mixed up.
I so want Barton in the team.
No thanks. None of those mate. We don’t want to go from kids team to a team of has beens.
None mate!! Have we stooped down so low?