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Wenger praises his midfield ace

MIDFIELDER Alex Song will be a big miss for Arsenal when he competes for Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations (CAN) next year, according to Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal boss, when questioned about Song’s outstanding from this season, agreed that Song has been immense for the Gunners.

Wenger told the Voice of Sport: “He's maybe the guy that nobody expected to be at that level.”

Song, nephew of former West Ham and Liverpool player Rigobert, has been pivotal as his team’s holding midfielder player as Arsenal have made their way to the higher echelons of the Premier League and almost guaranteed qualification into the last s16 of the prestigious Champions League.

Wenger added: “He already had a good second part of the season last year and he continues to develop.

“What people forget is that these boys are 20 or 21 years old so it's not a surprise that they continue to improve.

The ACN takes place in Angola January 10-31 and the loss of Song is a far cry when he looked surplus to requirements at the north London club.

Signed for just £1 million from French outfit Bastia in 2004, Song looked to be out of Wenger’s plan when he was loaned out to Charlton Athletic in early 2000.

Since then Song, who can play off a number of positions, has seen midfield rivals Gilberto Silva and Mathieu Flamini, leave the club before taking his chance to shine.

Photo credit: Ken Passley

Published: 09 November 2009
Issue: 1397

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