Arsenal Transfer News: Why Signing Joey Barton Would Be a Poor Move

Recent reports have suggested that Arsenal are looking to sign Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton, whose future at Newcastle has been in doubt for some time now.

One of the common criticism against Arsenal’s current crop of players and against Arsene Wenger has been the inability to find a player who can impose his presence on the opposition, get stuck in the opposition’s face and display heart and passion.

Jack Wilshere and Alex Song are lionhearted players who play with fierce passion and never back down, but right now they have a long way to go and are inexperienced at this stage. What the Gunners need is another Patrick Vieira, a Martin Keown—fearless players who add steel and strength to the midfield.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Christopher Samba from Blackburn and he will go a long way in adding strength to the Gunners’ defense that lacks an intimidating presence. But even the midfield has been badly missing a powerful player and that is why Arsene Wenger needs to reinforce the midfield with an intimidating presence who can add depth and quality.

The recent reports linking Barton to Arsenal have received response from the Gunners’ faithful with some seeing him as a good player who will add something new and different to the Arsenal ranks that desperately requires some strengthening.

The other fans see him as a disruptive force whose arrogance and trouble-making ways often lands him in trouble which directly affects the club adversely. I would tend to fall on the second school of thought, firmly believing that Barton is just not the kind of player that Arsenal should be signing and they should go for a player who can make a profound impact on the team which is bringing in trophies to the club.

The reason why I believe that Barton should not be signed his because of his quality and nature, something I feel is not required at Arsenal right now.

Before people start telling me of his quality this season, let me tell you know that I too see him as a good midfielder, a talented player whose combative nature often sees his talent as a midfielder get overshadowed.

But the question I am posing is, do Arsenal require any more good players? Good players can help Arsenal reach the UEFA Champions League but only quality players will help the Gunners make the next jump and become a title winning side who can boast of trophies apart from a talented squad and a beautiful style of play.

Barton has shown that he is a talented player who can deliver the goods in midfield as he was a part of the Newcastle side that eased back into the rigors of the Premier League after spending one season in the Championship. He, along with captain Kevin Nolan, was a mainstay in the Toon midfield and Barton went a certain way in proving his doubters wrong over his footballing ability.

Despite him having quality, I just don’t see him as an improvement from any of the Arsenal crop currently at the club. Arsenal already have players like Ramsey who with time will become a great midfielder and has already started delivering for the club and will only improve next season as he makes his comeback from a horrendous injury.

Also Arsenal have currently several talented midfielders in Francis Coquelin, Henri Lansbury who all can prove to be strong players in the Gunners’ midfield, having enjoyed fruitful loan spells.

So in terms of quality while Barton is far better player than people are willing to give him credit for, he doesn’t add anything special to the Arsenal side that can help them become champions again.

Now another reason some feel, the Gunners should sign him is because of his highly combative nature, a trait virtually nonexistent in most Arsenal players, save a couple. Many have echoed the sentiments that Arsenal require a player who can take one for the team.

Absolutely, I agree. That is what Arsenal need but the question is; Is Joey Barton that man?

To put it simply. If Arsenal truly want a player who can take one for the team, then that player is Scott Parker, a truly inspirational player who plays with the heart and commitment that Arsenal need. Also he is experienced and being capable of playing in the defensive midfield, he provides some much needed competition to the Cameroonian and will be able to fill in for him when he goes to the African Cup of Nations.

I personally feel that Barton’s nature of being heavily combative is totally different from ‘taking one for the team’. Barton’s antics and habits have landed him in trouble very often and even last season as he punched Morst Gamst Pederson and landed in trouble. Such acts not only affect the name of Arsenal but also have an adverse affect on the team as there is absolutely no use in having a player who gets sent off twice a year.

That’s why I feel that Parker is the perfect fit for Arsenal.

Inspirational, dedicated and with his career coming to a close, Parker will be desperate to prove a point and finally succeed and Arsenal will be desperate to get a quality player who has the traits of a leader, an ingredient that has not been at Arsenal since Vieira left except maybe in Robin van Persie.

Also, Barton’s arrogance has been displayed on several occasions—none better than the time he called himself England’s best midfielder, a fact that is definitely not true.

I wouldn’t be too devastated at seeing him at Arsenal but neither will I celebrate it.

Final Verdict: Barton isn’t too bad a player. To be honest, he is fairly good. But with a questionable attitude and with Arsenal looking to win trophies again, Arsene Wenger should focus his interests on other players who will add a new dimension to the Gunners.