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Why I agree with Keown that this Gunner has what it takes to play at the back

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Martin Keown believes that if an Arsenal midfielder needs to play in the centre defence then Alex Song is the man to do it, and after his performance on Wednesday night Olympiakos, I believe the former Gunner is absolutely right.

Keown said before the game:

‘He is strong and brave and has done it before, most notably against Barcelona in the Champions League a couple of seasons ago.’

‘Per Mertesacker will have to look after him and marshal him through the game.’

As it is, I don’t think Mertesacker marshalled him, I just think Song did really well in a position that although he is has played in the past it isn’t his natural position. I don’t recall one moment, apart from the goal, that we saw Song out of position and you cannot blame him for the goal because there were plenty of other players who should have been marking.

Although not an ideal solution to the problem, the Cameroon international proved that when called upon he can play in that position and it speaks volumes for Arsene Wenger’s confidence in Song that he was picked ahead of our natural central defenders.

Keown did raise a concern about the decision though:

‘I worry about whether he is explosively quick enough to deal with the change of pace some strikers will have. It is very repetitive playing centre half so that can take some adjustment – to curb his midfield instincts.’

Obviously you can’t say ‘yes it will work week in week out’ because it was just a one-off. Let’s just hope that Arsenal get their defensive problems resolved. However, I will say that I have more confidence in the pairing of Song and Mertesacker in the back than I do any other pairing available currently at Arsenal.

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4 comments

  • AidanGooner says:

    It’s the ONLY pairing we have avaiable isn’t it?- unless you wana include Miquel. Vermaelen is the only Arsenal centre back I rate to be honest. None of the others would get a look in at our rivals, same goes for strikers- just the one would get game time at Man City, Chelsea or Utd- pretty worrying when you add the fact that we have just sold our best two midfielders

  • topemagnus says:

    if you say it’s only vermaelen you rate, you must be mistaken cos koscielny is far more better than all our defenders, he maintain is consistency, keeps himself injury free, play without a consistent partner and still get his rhythm right. We have good players but lack of trophy has made underrate them or can you compare jones or smalling to koscielny, DJ20 is as calamitious as evans of manu’s. Get behind the team fellow fan. Up gunners!!!

  • AidanGooner says:

    I am having a particularly negative minded day today so I take your point looking back at my post, but Koscielny has certainly not convinced me as yet having said that that and I would indeed rather Smalling or Jones- and certainly a fit Vermaelen who I think is absolute class. A lot of Arsenal fans are talking up Koscielny however so hopefully I will be proved wrong- for me he lacks strength, positioning and assertiveness. Anyway, heres hoping we smash the Spurs

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