Sing a song of Alex Song

“What I like at the moment is that you can see people stepping up a level, and growing in confidence,” he said. “I can really notice that around the team. Alex Song for example. He has been a great player for a few years now, but I do feel that when you see a defensive midfielder make an action like that against Dortmund, to break a game like that, then he is something special.” – Robin Van Persie on Alex Song

Alex Song was a signing who consistent with Arsene Wenger’s modus operandi in signing young unknown talent. He was a promising teenager from Ligue 1 side Bastia who originally came over in a loan, playing nine games earning him a full time deal when he was signed for £1 million.

He immediately went out on loan to Charlton featuring in Alan Pardew’s midfield where he impressed immensely. But early on Wenger still thought of Alex Song as a central defender. Only after his strong performance at the African Cup of Nations in 2008 playing the holding midfielder role did Wenger’s perceptions probably change. In 2009-2010 Wenger gave him the duty of slotting behind Fabregas and Diaby. He had a strong season and showed signs of the promise that is finally being realized this season.

Arsenal have turned around their early season duldrums on the performances of key individuals like Thomas Vermaelen, Mikel Arteta, Laurent Koscielny and Robin Van Persie but it is Alex Song’s role in the midfield that may the true lynch pin for Arsenal’s resurgence.

People have had a hard time defining Song as a true holding midfielder. Song is a strong presence in the centre of Arsenal’s set up. He breaks up opposition attacks with an array of thumping challenges and is constantly in position to cut off attacks and intercept balls. But he is also very accomplished on the ball, retains possession well and has endless energy. Throw in his new-found creativity that unlocks his alter-ego “Songaldinho” and the Cameroonian is very much at the heart of why Arsenal have been successful lately. (won 7 out 8 and conceded only 8 goals with 3 clean sheets (since the loss to Tottenham). Three of those goals came in the thriller at the bridge).

I believe you have to look at Song as Wenger’s most improved player over the last few years. Sure, the progression fo Wilshere and the emergence of Koscielny jump out. But they’re ascendancy has been much more rapid and was not as lined with areas of concern as Song’s has.

We can all remember when Song was handed a chance to impress in a game against Fulham in the 2006. But his performance led to him being substituted at the half with the Arsenal behind 2-1. It was as bad a performance for a player in an Arsenal uniform as can be remembered. For Song it meant spending the next two months without getting a sniff of the first team.

Additionally, in the past Song has been known to get too far forward thus putting himself out of position. This movement forward in return exposes the Arsenal defence leaving them uncovered from the middle of the pitch – especially on the counter. He isn’t much of a threat to score and in the past I would say that his anticipation of danger could be better.

That last point is one of the areas, I think he has improved immensely on, especially this season. He is much better positionally, his play in open field in closing down players and intercepting, taking away the ball or tackling is much improved. He still has a way to go to be on par with his peer set. If you see the statistics below – Song fairs well head to head in most categories against the likes of Gareth Barry, Scott Parker, and Lucas Leiva.

(all stats courtesy of EPLIndex.com they can also be followed on twitter at @eplindex)

Statistically, Song is comparable to the likes of Barry, Leiva, and Parker. Parker by far leads the group in passing ability but like Song he loses the ball alot. I chalk this up to the fact that both of them also have a better offensive side to their game then either Barry or Leiva offer. Additionally both Song and Parker each of a defensive error or two to their name. Again, I think it is part and parcel with getting too far forward and making an error when getting back.

But when you compare Song to Barry who is being praised as a rock in the side of Manchester City (so much so he has displaced Nigel De Jong) it is pretty much a statistical dead heat with Barry only largely better in the air than Song (size matters). On the ground they are even in their 50-50 success rate. Barry holds a slight edge over Song in tackling but Song holds a slight edge in interceptions and positional play as he doesn’t let players by him too often. However when you look at the averages per game, Song is a better tackler 3.3 vs 2.2 per game. Leiva leads the peer group with 5.7.

When you further break down the passing game Song is better than all three in the category of key passes (not listed above). Song has an average of 1.4 per game, Barry 1.2, Leiva, 0.9, Parker 1.

Song still has some issues to work out. His propensity for the stupid foul could cost him. And I have to admit to being worried against Everton that he would pick up his 5th yellow forcing him to miss the clash against Manchester City.

I know some people have a difficult time in classifying Song as a defensive midfielder because of his constant desire to go forward. While that seems to be in check this season, he does possess some interesting offensive skills. As much praise as been heaped on Van Perise, some of it has to go to Song as well. His wonderful footwork against Dortmund on the left side of the 18 yard box unlocked a committed German side and gave Van Persie the chance for Arsenal’s first goal. Then the accuracy, weight and skill to lob the ball perfectly to Van Persie against Everton was something we are used to only seeing from the likes of Cesc Fabregas.

No, Alex Song is not an answer to our creative problems in the middle of the pitch. But at the very least he is an option from time to time. He is slowly getting the praise and recognition of the fans and punditry. When you get the likes of Jamie Redknapp to praise you, then you are on to something.

We are so used to having the likes of Patrick Vieira as the grit of our midfield. And part me hopes that as Song continues to grow and mature he develops some characteristics our former captain held. Especially in controlling his ability to get a card. Vieira was often penalised but I always felt he knew he had to get most of those cards in order to protect his team and let the opponent know that silly antics on Arsenal players won’t be tolerated. Emmanuel Frimpong has that to his youth-filled form he needs to round it off with improved skill.

In the past I’ve been one of Song’s hardest critics. I felt if he was truly meant to be a DM then he needed to stay home and protect the middle of the field. He seems to understand that part of his game and the improved stats show it. He still gets forward but knows when its the right moment to.

If Arsenal manage to get something from their trip to the Etihad and draw the leaders in closer – then Alex Song is a big reason why.

Rather than close this myself, I’ll let Arsene have the last word:

“A great assist from Alex Song set us on our way against Dortmund. He is a defensive midfielder who can also be very creative offensively, and showed that again on Wednesday.

“You want your players to show that kind of quality at a moment where it is needed, and we required something like that on the night. What I like is that he took the risk, took the gamble, and the quality of his final ball was exceptional. He did something that is not only tricky and fantastic to watch, but also efficient.

“You might need a magnet to keep him back sometimes, but overall in the second half he was tremendous defensively too – in the challenges he was absolutely fantastic. I believe that an intelligent player is one who uses his assets in an intelligent way. His asset is in the duels, but he can add to his game from time to time as well. We know that he is a fantastic player.” –  Arsene Wenger on Alex Song.

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