The Daily Mail is reporting that Barcelona is looking at bidding for the services of Alex Song as they seek to bolster their defensive midfield position, currently manned by Sergio Busquets and Javier Mascherano. The Catalan side has a habit of replenishing their ranks with talents from the Emirates. Looking back at the Wenger years, the number of players transferred from Arsenal to Barcelona is staggering. Just look at the list below:-
1) Marc Overmars
2) Emmanuel Petit
3) Silvinho
4) Thierry Henry
5) Alex Hleb
6) Cesc Fabregas
In terms of transfer fees, Arsenal has received over €125 million from the sale of these players to only one club. That must certainly be a record of some kind. Earlier in the transfer window, the Spanish side was at it again, with reports linking them to both Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny. Now they are trying to de-stabilize the Gunners with a bid for our midfield anchor. Try as they might I am sure the Professor will not sell his midfield jewel this season.
After a rocky start to his Arsenal career (I remember the fans giving him a lot of stick when he first broke into the team), Song has become an integral part of the Arsenal line-up. I am sure he is one of the first names to be penciled down in the team sheet whenever he is fit. He is also very versatile, often slotting into central defense whenever there is a need for an extra striker to replace one of the main defenders.
Song has two more years on his contract so Arsenal is in a good position if the situation comes to head. Personally, I don’t think Arsene Wenger will allow anything to come even close to that because Alex Song is even more difficult to replace than Robin Van Persie. There are not many available defensive midfielders who have the strength, versatility and quality of Song. Yann M’Villa may be one but again that is debatable. Therefore, these rumors will probably remain just rumors and nothing more
Sorry but completely disagree. He may have given a few assists this year but his form is patchy at best. And more to the point he is supposed to be our DM and yet us regularly caught out of position. Our terrible defence record last year is at least partly if not mostly because he doesn’t protect the back 4. A good squad player yes but give me a proper DM that sits in front of the defence any day.
agree with sam – hes good but id gladly sell him and get a proper dm – sometimes he doesnt seem to try hard enough – he is average but some of us gooners think hes better- no fear in him as there is no competition for his position…
You forgot giovanni van bronckhorst