Jamie Redknapp believes Mikel Arteta has brought the best our of Alex Song.
The former Liverpool and Spurs midfielder was quoted in the Daily Mail today saying:
‘Mikel Arteta has been a good signing for Arsenal and his arrival has brought the best out of Alex Song.’
The 38-year-old Sky Sports pundit went on to compare the Spaniard to Manchester United’s Paul Scholes, due to his superb vision and execution, and reckons Arteta does not get enough credit for what he does for Arsene Wenger’s side:
‘Arteta has been sitting deep and that has given Song the licence to play further up the field.
‘It’s easy to pass it simply, but he has been hitting match-winning passes. Terrific vision and execution, almost like Paul Scholes in his heyday. He’s not getting enough credit for it.’
I think many, if not all, Arsenal fans expected Arteta to instantly replace Cesc Fabregas in the ‘hole’ position behind Robin van Persie when he arrived from Everton for £10 million last summer.
However, to my surprise anyway, Wenger decided to place the 29-year-old Spaniard deeper in midfield, which has allowed Song too venture more forward this season.
I agree with Redknapp though, Arteta does not get enough credit for what he actually does for the team. He doesn’t get a lot of goals for us, but that’s because he has been deployed in a different role, one which he has excelled at in my opinion. In addition, he has also brought out the best in Song as Redknapp claims. The Cameroon international has certainly stepped up his game and looks a threat going forward; his assists this season can back up this claim.
Arteta has excellent vision and is a great passer of the ball and shouldn’t be overlooked as a possible Player of the Year candidate for AFC, although RVP has simply been sensational and will most likely win this award.
In any case, Arteta has been an astute signing for us this season and has brought back that calmness and experience to our midfield that we have been lacking in recent seasons.
So, has Arteta brought out the best in Song as Redknapp suggest?
Give us you thoughts on the matter
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Honestly Arteta brought ‘stability’ into the midfield that gave opportunity for Song to excel!
When Cesc was playing stability was there. we missed Rosicky’s energy in midfield
wilshere is an attacking midfilder who Wenger said for his learning he needs to start by playing a defensive role. All his junior playing career wilshere was an attacking mid
Before the arrival of Arteta wasn’t Song giving passes? Did he just start throwing such passes now? common!
Song’s development obviously had niothing to do with the fact Arsene keptt faith and has developed him into a world class talent over the last 3 seasons!! Not arteta!
Blazer, Arteta plays the Xavi role for us, he is a passer, keeps the game ticking and helps us maintain possession. He is what Denilson strives to be and what we have lacked all along with the change of the modern game.
think we all can all agree the song arteta rosiscky combo is working well