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29 March 2024

Why Dempsey is Arsenal's Van Persie back-up

Fulham's Clint Dempsey (right) challenges Chelsea's Mikel during their English Premier League match at Craven Cottage in London. (REUTERS)

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By Staff

While the battle for pride, Champions League slots and survival rage on in the Barclays English Premier League, it might be worth noting some end-of-season gems that will spark a twist or two to the transfer market.

Hatem Ben Arfa at Newcastle (among others there).

And surely, now Clint Dempsey of Fulham. With his 21 goals in all competitions and 15 in the league, Dempsey a Fulham soldier for so long now, might finally be headed to “the big time.”

And word on the web, if not at the Emirates, is that Arsene Wenger will be first in line at Craven Cottage should Dempsey say no to Martin Jol’s promised “bumper offer” for him to stay.

Wenger might also be bearing in mind that his own Robin Van Persie might be on a few shopping lists in Europe and Dempsey might be the low-cost 10 million (relative) answer to Arsenal’s forward move for cup and league success again.

Van Persie may be thanking his stars he did not stoke the Manchester City flames any more and might well stay at the resurgent Arsenal, but even then, Dempsey might be the kind of bench strength Arsenal need to gun down troublesome teams like QPR, or Stoke.

The American is in no hurry to decide his future club.

Dempsey, 29, signed from New England Revolution in 2007, has already broken Brian McBride’s 36-goal record as all-time American top scorer in the Premier League being credited with 48.

Apart from Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are also eyeing the £10 million-rated ace who has just 16 months left on his contract, according to reports in the British press.

Yesterday, Dempsey cracked open Chelsea and all but shattered their hopes of Champions League football.

After Frank Lampard’s penalty gave Chelsea the lead, towards the end of the match, a set-piece came in and Dempsey rose unchallenged to flick home his third goal in two games.