Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Amos 
Date:Monday June 9 2008
Time: 12:58PM
UK time is: 01:48:35
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Song on the dotted line
The previously much maligned Alexandre Song has just signed a new long-term contract the club has announced today.
Having signed from Bastia in 2006 this new contract will secure the future of the 20-year-old central defender and sometime defensive midfielder at the club for sometime to come.
Despite the player being heavily criticised by some supporters in the past Wenger has remained a staunch believer in the talents of the Cameroonian International player claiming recently that he sees him as a central defender more than central midfield.
In last month`s televised question and answer session with Arsenal shareholders he gave his views on Songs potential:I believe he is a remarkable player and I was one of the very, very few who believed in Alexandre Song. I can show you articles in newspapers which said that [he] was the worst buy I have made but you will see in one or two years that he will be a great player for Arsenal.
he said at the time.Trust me, if I make a decision it is because I know all the characteristics of the player whether they are physical or mental characteristics,
Wenger continued.When I put a player somewhere, I know why I do. If I play Song at centre back it is because I believe he will be a great centre back for Arsenal Football Club. In Song's case, he can play in central midfield. But can he play 60 games there? I am not convinced.
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Your Comments
This is all part of the process. Arsenal have been signing all their players to better contracts over the past year - Eboue, Hoyte, Diaby, Almunia, Adebayor, Sagna and now Song, with Cesc & Clichy next in line. Yet, the media constantly harps on the fact that Arsenal have a rigid wage structure. This is also a consequence of the inflation effect that Wenger spoke of, something that Article 17 has brought into play. Contracts are constantly being re-negotiated in order to prolong the protected 3 year period for players like Song. Song fully deserves a better contract, he looked assured in defence for the last 3-4 games of the season.
prits
This is all part of the process. Arsenal have been signing all their players to better contracts over the past year - Eboue, Hoyte, Diaby, Almunia, Adebayor, Sagna and now Song, with Cesc & Clichy next in line. Yet, the media constantly harps on the fact that Arsenal have a rigid wage structure. This is also a consequence of the inflation effect that Wenger spoke of, something that Article 17 has brought into play. Contracts are constantly being re-negotiated in order to prolong the protected 3 year period for players like Song. Song fully deserves a better contract, he looked assured in defence for the last 3-4 games of the season.
prits
Thats good news,but i want to see him at CDM,he is not the CB that we need he is definately the CDM that we'd need
Babeasta
Thats good news,but i want to see him at CDM,he is not the CB that we need he is definately the CDM that we'd need
Babeasta
This is very good news and I would like to say, I rated him! I have to wonder with Wenger pledging to buy another centre back and seeing Song as a centre half, what does this mean for Senderos and/or Djourou?
Little Dutch
This is very good news and I would like to say, I rated him! I have to wonder with Wenger pledging to buy another centre back and seeing Song as a centre half, what does this mean for Senderos and/or Djourou?
Little Dutch
I am not so sure that Wenger was as specific as to say he was looking to sign a centre back. I thought he only said something along the lines of doing something 'in the defensive area'. With Wenger that might leave a lot of scope.
Amos.
I am not so sure that Wenger was as specific as to say he was looking to sign a centre back. I thought he only said something along the lines of doing something 'in the defensive area'. With Wenger that might leave a lot of scope.
Amos.
It looks increasingly as though Gilberto will stay and I wonder if, for all Flamini gave us, we missed his aerial presence and his ability to protect the back four? Maybe I'm inferring, but I couldn't help but think Wenger meant a centre half and one he intends to play regularly given that he was talking about our inability to deal with long balls down the centre. I've a feeling Toure won't be an automatic first choice next season, with Song, Senderos and Djourou there, I would think one will leave unless Djourou is deployed as a DCM.
Little Dutch
It looks increasingly as though Gilberto will stay and I wonder if, for all Flamini gave us, we missed his aerial presence and his ability to protect the back four? Maybe I'm inferring, but I couldn't help but think Wenger meant a centre half and one he intends to play regularly given that he was talking about our inability to deal with long balls down the centre. I've a feeling Toure won't be an automatic first choice next season, with Song, Senderos and Djourou there, I would think one will leave unless Djourou is deployed as a DCM.
Little Dutch
Wenger did refer to dealing with long balls played down the centre which suggests some sort of central defensive change but that could also mean stopping them coming in with any accuracy in the first place (which may well have been one of Gilbertos strengths). For sure we seem to have an embarrasment of central defenders at the moment.
Amos.
Wenger did refer to dealing with long balls played down the centre which suggests some sort of central defensive change but that could also mean stopping them coming in with any accuracy in the first place (which may well have been one of Gilbertos strengths). For sure we seem to have an embarrasment of central defenders at the moment.
Amos.
I didnt really give song a chance and in fairness to the guy he has made me eat my words on more than one occasion. I am glad he is staying as he is young and has already shown an improvement in his game. One for the future? I certainly hope so!
Unwell
I didnt really give song a chance and in fairness to the guy he has made me eat my words on more than one occasion. I am glad he is staying as he is young and has already shown an improvement in his game. One for the future? I certainly hope so!
Unwell
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