Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Wednesday December 19 2007
Time: 12:47AM
UK time is: 18:18:20
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Alex Serves The Pie, Let's Eat!!
Ok, I'll be the first to take a fat juicy slice of humble pie, and wolf it down.
Alex Song IS a good footballer.
Tonight, the young man was outstanding. I'm not sure Song has the capacity to input that kind of special performance week in & week out, but he has shown tonight that he has a place in our squad.
Song has been on the wrong end of some extremely unpleasant stick from Arsenal fans, indeed he was boo'ed by the travelling Gooners when Arsenal played Fulham at the Cottage a while ago, and whilst I would never resort to booing my own, I honestly believed he was not good enough to play for Arsenal.
I'm not saying he's ready to be 1st choice or anything, but the Cameroonian (is that even a word?) can certainly play a pivotal role as a squad player in the coming seasons.
Above all, even above his performance tonight, his most outstanding attribute has been his Cygan-esque attitude. Never one to whine and whinge, Alex Song has just gotten on with his job.
So as Alex serves up a mammoth sized pie, I'm already sat gobbling up my piece, and you know what?
It tastes f***ing good!
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Your Comments
Top one Rocky. Song was my MOM. Solid at the back, even covering for Senderos once when Mccarthy almost scored. Later on, he was also involved in our attacks, not afraid to go forward and contribute, and his assist led to the 3rd goal. There WERE a lot of people criticising him, but I have to say a fair share also asked for time and a decent run in the side, so that Song can settle in. His performance in the CL against Steaua was also quite good. Here's hoping we see more of these kind of performances from Song.
prits
Song has taken flak from the majority of us mate so I'll take my slice with some cream and flaky chocolate flakes (mmm - sounding like a feckin M&S food ad). In fairness though his showings as a CB have made way more sense so I'd be surprised if he made the switch back to MF which he never really convinced in, Le Boss oft experiments with his players' positioning and he'll be chuffed that this particular jigsaw puzzle piece has finally found it's rightful place.
nikolaijns
My Motm was actually Diarra, but from what I've seen I expected that from him anyway. But Song.....WOW......where did that come from? Awesome!
Rocky7
I've never really criticised him, but I felt he wasn't good enough. So I'll eat mine. There are some fans out there though who need to a few pies to settle the score!!
Rocky7
Diarra was also excellent, a close 2nd in my eyes. I guess the assist for the 3rd goal from a defender, and one or two crucial clearances influenced me more.
prits
I reckon we have to accept that anyone Wenger brings in has to be a talented footballer. They wouldn't be here if they weren't. Whether they have the other psychological qualities to display that talent consistently at the highest level can only be discovered by allowing them the opportunity to prove it. Tonight Song went some way to proving that he can play well. Whether he can reproduce that consistently will take longer to discover. We needn't be so quick to write off young players. Consistency and confidence are the hardest qualities to obtain when you are operating on the fringes of the first team. We need to give them time to grow up and develop their craft.
Amos.
He reminded me of Kolo with that strong run from the center of the defence. What a wondefull pass. The amount of stick I gave him, I might should take 2 pieces of this humble pie.
gunnerkid107
song was excellent tonite... but it was the team i was impressed with.. watever happens after now for this team is a bonus.. take note man utd..this is wat u call strength in reserve.. not losing our 3rd away game in 7 days having played the prev 2 with the same squad
McGooner
Song was by a fair margin my man of the match, I thought Diarra was defensively sound but often makes a good touch and then has no idea what to do next in offence. Did anyone else see the resemblence to Toure in Songs second half performance? All over the back and pushing the team forward, excellent stuff.
Ozi Gooner
I hope those boo boys who picked on Song are eating their words. It was unfair they targeted Song just cause he had a bad game against Fulham last season.
BMF
Many players I didn't think would cut the mustard have proved me wrong. Flamini mainly, with Song I didn't really have an opinion on him as I saw him as a young player who needed time to fit. With Flamini I was quite happy to see him move on. Players like this is what I like to see in the Arsenal team. They are persistent, they have a bad game they lick their wounds learn and come back stronger. It's good as these players give the younger less hyped players hope.
Gunners
I only saw the 17 minute highlight package on Arsenal TV Online, and Song looked good at both ends of the pitch. I'd only seen him in short substitute appearances but yeah, seems like he got a lot of flak. Hard to tell from 17 minutes but Bendtner looked great, Randall started off well, Fabianski looks promising but not there yet, and Denilson played with fire.
Does anybody else subscribe to Arsenal TV Online, and if so notice that the highlight package missed Eduardo's second goal? The went from Denilson's sending off to Bazarite's injury to a Blackburn chance 'will this be the equalizer?' You'd kind of expect them to include all three Arsenal goals in the highlight reel. . .
elbondo
Thats so weird. Im sure they will straighten it out. Maybe you should write a e-mail to the ATVO editor.
gunnerkid107
Song was awesome... his strong run was one of many things he did superbly. Fantastic player and hopefully will only improve.
arsenalrulz4ever
Alex Song Song Song. Sounds better than Alex Mong Mong Mong...Well played mr Song and you deserved it.
Goofle
Song did play ok, but it seems there is no happy medium with most of you lot. He either gets slated or praised beyond belief. Defensively he was very poor positionally & gave Blackburn too many chances when they were on top (luckily for us they f***** them up), the rest of his game was fine but the praise seems to be going overboard somewhat as was the criticism last season & earlier this. Unfortunately I didn't see anything good in Senderos at all & this game just adds to the rest of the pathetic performances he has been putting in. With any luck he will be out the door in January because if he has to play any important games he will cost us goals.
Ashburton Gooner
The usual reality check with AG ;). I do understand your point, but I think Song fully deserves the praise. He still needs to put in more such games like this, to be truly accepted as an Arsenal player, but the Steaua game and this one are good starts. His positioning was mostly good, and he had to compensate a few times for Senderos. Few crucial clearances as well. I have to agree partly about Senderos though - not a bad performance, but he looked shaky far more often than he should.
prits
AG well said, overall I think you are spot on. I tended to hold back on my criticisms of Song because in the later half of the game he did put in a good effort. Nevertheless Swiss Tony troubles me he does not have the pace or positional sense.
alwaysgunner
too bad man utd's reserves are too busy raping WOMAN LOL!
MikeLebo
He was superb last night, as were the rest of the boys. A great performance mixed with grit, class and skill. Feck me they can mix it when they need to.
hatespur
I thought that all the players deserve credit, was a great team effort in my eyes, the only player who lets the team down is senderos.I hope he aint toure's replacement for the ANC.
merz
Oh my God , I think am gonna get fired. I cant stop myself reading anything arsenal right now, always on the net. Ive got a big smile on my face whole day. Joy, joy ,joy ...Lalallalaaaaaaa
Readgunner
I thought he played better than OK, AG, much better. When he made a mistake and was found wanting a little, he got back and rectified the situation, something our very own Kolo Toure does often. I stated in the article that I don't know whether he can reproduce this form, but the lad definately deserves the praise, I think he's earned it.
Rocky7
he had a great game but I wouldn't put him in the kolo category yet. Great players do it at the top level week in week out. Song has had a few very good games at centre back interspersed with some poor games in midfield. clearly he is a far better centre back and has leapt in front of Senderos IMO. Lets see more of Song in the FA cup at the back and then we can really start to see what he is made of.
gazzap
Lovely, I like pie :D
saisho
No exaggaration, he did remind me of Kolo, especially in the 2nd half, seriously! With our CM more packed than the tube in the morning, Song will get much better chances in CB. Hope the kid keeps up the good work. And oh, Djourou's coming back, McLeish has just confirmed that it's Arsene's made that decision.
Louisa
the centre backs were at fault for rovers equaliser,but to be fair santa cruz is a very good player so it was no surprise that he got those two goals,but if you look at senderos he may have been off the game defensively just like song,but he was commited,professional and like song both dug deep,did you see swiss tones many clearing headers last nite?,and dont forget that they both will get a lot better with more game time under their belts.
fran merida
elbondo, I've just watched the ATVO highlights, all the goals are there. I think they've corrected it. They usually cover all goals and key moments.
Louisa
I never used to think he would make it, but then a few months ago it really struck me just how young he was. for some reason it felt as though he was slightly older. ill take a slice of that pie though. and i agree about his attitude. has been perfect.
ArsenalRob
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