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Saturday, February 09, 2008

Song’s chance to shine in jeopardy


By 1970’s Gooner

Alexander Song had a bad game against Fulham at Craven Cottage some time ago and a lot of frustrated fans got on his back since then. They seemed to ignore that in that defeat the whole team had a nightmare of a game with hardly anyone of the players playing above average.

I had watched him a few times while he was out on loan at Charlton and was quite impressed with his performances in midfield. He was very good in the tackle, kept possession well and could lay the ball accurately to his teammates.

Wenger’s faith in the youngster was again shown to be correct when Alex, although playing in central defence in the Carling Cup games recently, excelled proving that he is indeed worth to be part of this fantastic Arsenal squad.

The culmination of his return to form was the excellent performance last Thursday in the semi final of the Africa Nations Cup.

He protected his defenders very well competing for every ball and when he came into possession he laid it off accurately to a team mate with that characteristic ease which typifies him.

He was, along with his cousin, Rigobert Song the outstanding player of that game.

So it is a pity that reports coming out of Ghana indicate that his participation in the most important game of his life so far, The Africa Nations Cup Final, may not happen.

He got a hard knock on the leg during the semi final win against host nation Ghana and seems unable to recover in time to make it in the final.

It is reported that he did not take part in the important training session today which was the final dress rehearsal for tomorrow’s final. However according to tha coach of the Lions Otto Pfister, Alexandre Song may be "fit". The German explained that the absence of the midfielder from training on Saturday morning was out of "choice" without giving further details.

If Song does not take part he is expected to be in the stands along his teammate Bikey who got that famous red in the semi final for upending not an opponent but one of the stretcher carriers!

Let’s hope that he recovers quickly as Arsenal may have to call upon him now that the squad looks depleted by injuries (picked up on international duty)!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

hope he can play. btw rigobert is his uncle, not cousin

Anonymous said...

Hope he recovers and prove his worth at Arsenal now that Flamini is injured!

Anonymous said...

I'm gutted for him because it's not just his performance in the semi-final, but throughout the tournament ever since he was introduced at half-time in the first game. Cameroon will really miss him.

Wrighty7 said...

It'll be a shame if he misses the final considering how well he's played in the tournament.

Anonymous said...

I really hope Alex Song is fit and plays in the final, as he deserves too.

He has played well and shown what he's capable of during this Africa Cup of Nations.

I think the key thing to bear in mind is that he has been able to have a run of consistent games in his favoured position, as opposed to playing one game for Arsenal's first team every so often, which makes a hugh difference to some players form, confidence, rhythm etc.

I hope the new breed of Arsenal fan bears this in mind in future before deciding to slag off Song just because they can.

Destiny Duke said...

Rigobert Song recently stated that his Dad and Alex's dad were brothers-and that means they are cousins. Due to the age difference between them and the African culture of respect it would not be out of place for Alex to refer to Rigobert as his "Uncle".

Anonymous said...

He's been great in this ACN, he deserves to play in the final. I used to think he had no chance of making it at arsenal but he has really proved me wrong.

I would like him to be out 3rd choice CB. Good at defending, can bring the ball out, calm passer and decent pace. But would rule out a biggish club coming in for him after the way he's played.

And what destiny duke said makes sense. probably the case.

Anonymous said...

Anyone who rates him based on his performances in this witless and shit tournament is off their heads.
The quality of football has been nothing short of abysmal and Gus Caesar would look good in any of the semi finalists!