When it comes to Arsenal, credit usually gets given where credit is due. For instance, the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie are ritually applauded for their performances, whilst the likes of Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri have either won or been nominated for a PFA award this year. Heck, even Bacary Sagna, the finest and most competent member of Arsenal’s widely criticised defence was voted the best right-back in the Premier League by his fellow players.
One man who rarely gets his due, outside of Arsenal fans that is, is central/defensive-midfielder Alex Song. Whilst the majority of Gunners fans realise just how important Song is to their team, he doesn’t get the acknowledgement from pundits and neutrals that he deserves. It always strikes me as very strange when I hear fans talk about how Arsenal need a ‘good’, ‘competitive’ defensive-midfielder. It’s strange because Arsenal have arguably the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League.
He represents the spine of this Arsenal team and without him the Gunners look a much weaker side. Fabregas, as important as he is, can be replaced by younger members of the squad like Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, but there’s no direct replacement for Song who can do his job with anywhere near as much success. I’d argue that this is because Diaby and Wilshere simply aren’t defensively enough minded and because Denilson is too ‘slight’ (to put it kindly).
Alex Song is a tireless worker, who covers an incredible amount of ground every single game. Beyond his work in front of the back-four, you’ll also have noted that he’s one of the most attacking-minded defensive midfielders in the game. He’s always keen to bomb forward and aid the Arsenal attack and quick to get back into a defensive position when necessary.
His influence during big-games is telling. In my recent memory his tough, energetic performances have allowed Arsenal to dominate Manchester United’s midfield and to sneak a victory against a rampant Barcelona side (in the first leg of their Champion’s League clash).
He’s not perfect of course. There can be the occasional moment where he lacks discipline and pushes too far forward exposing Arsenal’s back-four. However, I believe it is Arsene Wenger’s responsibility to make sure that Song knows his role and is willing to stick to his task.
Is he the best defensive-midfielder in the Premier League? Better than Scott Parker? I’d say so. Better than Essien? This season, certainly. Better than Darren Fletcher? Perhaps.
He does an important job for Arsenal on a weekly basis and rarely gets the credit he deserves for it. He’s slowly but surely positioned himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, but when will he get the plaudits he so richly deserves?
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I agree that Alex Song is under-appreciated. I even got a lot of stick for supporting him in blogs when he first came into the team after a very successful loan spell at Charlton. So many ‘fans’ said he wasn’t fit to wear the shirt and I think he has proven them wrong – partly
One of the reasons we beat Man Utd was that he stuck to his given task of protecting the back four and limited his runs forward. With all the attacking skillful front players we have, he sometimes gets in the way unnecessarily and leaves our defence thin at the back.
This was a more controlled performance and I wonder if it was orders from Wenger to look after his defensive duties more. If he can maintain this level then we have a very big problem solved.
Having said that, I think Scott Parker is the best in the PL in this position and thoroughly deserved his Player of the Year award. If WH go down then I would love us to sign him
alex song covers so much ground in 90 minutes …. somes up the big flaw in his game
He is a good player but for his role is not as effective as he should
most often found joining in the attack at every opportunity… even when the fullback are constantly roaming forward
this is one of main reasons why we are so unstable at the back…usualy left with 2 cbs defending up to halfway line with everyone advanced
if song covered less ground and used his head more positionaly then he would be a much effective player
now as a defensive/holding midfielder… he is not very good at his job
as a box to box player he is very talanted…but he is used as a holding midifelder who does not hold the midfield
now in training he should learn how to hold back or he should be replaced in that position who actualy does the job required