Is Parker A Sinking Ship?

     At the grand age of 30 (31 in October) Scott Parker seems an unlikely transfer prospect for Mr Wenger. Arsene, who usually buys the young and sells the old, has been rumoured to be looking at the relegated West Ham's captain. With a buy like Parker you have its pro's. For example, Parker is proven in the Premier League and has preformed well over the last season, winning the FWA Footballer of the Year Award, He also comes with the leadership abilities Arsenal need and ,possibly best of all, he is English. This much needed English grit and experience could give Arsenal a new captain and would surely boost their team. 

     However with Parker come the con's. He is old now at the age of 30 and Wenger will probably only get four more years at a maximum out of him. Past this I would presume his fitness and ability would waver. He is also fairly injury prone but has played through injuries when West Ham required him. This may also further reduce the time that Wenger will get out of him as I have no doubt this will catch up with him in his later days. 

     Being West Ham's talismanic player and captain he will not leave easily. His loyalty to the club is legendary and he may not even leave in an attempt to help his club back into the Premiership. However if he decides he will leave the price will be hefty for a player of his age. I believe the fee will be between £8-12 million. Now this does not sound a lot but considering the prospect of Parker being out injured multiple times and his age, this fee is a large sum for a player in such situation. 

     So should Wenger shed out the cash to buy such a dinosaur? I personally believe so. Although he would be around for only a short time, Parker would bring experience of the Premiership to a relatively unexperinced side. He would take the burden of captaincy from Fabregas who, if he stays, would probably flourish due to the new lack of pressure on his young shoulders. If Parker played a holding midfielder's role he would also provide Song with cover and allow him to rest, as Song has played almost every game this season and we have struggled without him (especially at the Nou Camp). I believe this signing could only be good for Arsenal and Parker is the perfect player to help our lacking trophy cabinet.