When people think of Arsenal’s success this season they think of Robin van Persie, and why wouldn’t they? The only person to have scored more goals than the Dutchman in 2011 is Cristiano Ronaldo. Never has the phrase the Flying Dutchman been more relevant, except perhaps as an ironic description of Dennis Bergkamp. Indeed few would doubt that Arsenal’s number ten has been there most important player so far this season, but is he?
Well that depends upon the way you look at the stats. Arsenal’s win percentage this season with Van Persie in the team is 63%, whilst without him the win ratio is only 50%. Not bad, especially considering that 50% of the games where he didn’t play weren’t drawn but lost. Then consider the same statistics for Alex Song. With him in the team Arsenal have won just over 70% of their games. However without him, Arsenal have won just 37% of their games this season. In fact in the Premier League Arsenal have only won 18% of the games in which Song hasn’t started.
I’m not trying to say that as long as Arsenal have Alex Song they don’t need Van Persie, that would be ridiculous. However, what you do have to realise is just how important Song is to the team. All Arsenal fans have held him in high regard for the last couple of years, but rarely does anyone truly appreciate just how much he is doing for Arsenal. When Fabregas and Nasri left in the summer and Wilshere got injured we have looked to Ramsey and Arteta to supply the assists from central midfield and perhaps Walcott on the wing.
So who has got the highest number of assists for Arsenal in the Premier League this season? Alex Song.
Both Walcott and Song have 5 league assists, whilst Song has also been creating goals in Europe, most notably with his brilliant quick feet and cross to Van Persie to open the scoring against Dortmund.
I wouldn’t dare imagine of our beloved Arsenal without song, God forbid!
I remember when some fans couldn’t wait to see the back of Alex Song! Wenger however persisted with him because he & I (I must get that in quick)saw something specialin this guy. Once he finished his loan spell with Charlton (if memory serves me right) he was a different footballer altogether. Now the same fans can sing loudly, ‘there is only one Song’!! What a turnaround! Could we see the same with Chamakh or is his a long dead case?
Infact is 1 of the best defencive midfielder in World..
Spot on..!! Same light as yaya toure..
It’s crazy to call Song a defensive midfield. As far as I can see he’s a all round midfield. He hustle and get close to players and defense with his life. But he also scores important goals get the other end. His passing has been much more aggressive then before, he has given many important goal scoring passes. With Arteta partnering him and tidying things up at the back and holding up the ball when needed. We’re seeing the amazing attributes from Song. I’ve always been a fan ever since he played for Chartlon. Amazing to see how much he has developed. Wenger once said Song didn’t have the engine to play in the middle and he would be better suited at the back. Well, he’s certainly made his case and now he is undroppable. Hope he stays at Arsenal for life.
SONG is a vantastic player and he’s also a role model to Frimpong and Coquelin.
In the whole World Xabi Alonso is the only DMF that’s better than him.
SONG would be like the Combination of Alonso+Makelele in the not-too-far future.
Pze song perfect your role. Don’t tend to be on abusy body,instead of giving cover to our defense you are always on the opponents box. Look at how many goals we have concided are all from our middlefield,people are praising yet you are the one who make us loose
I’ll like to see some stat comparison between him and Arteta. Especially in terms of games won and lost with them playing.
ahh…i see…for some reason i read that bottom part as available now and not available soon…my bad