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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I honestly thought Song was the one Jamie was talking about in terms of how far he has developed. Then again I may be wrong. Arsenal midfield rotates and mostly between Song and Artera
+1. I think he was talking about Song and his overhead passes to RVP and Walcott. I do not really remember any “match winning” assists from Arteta. He is a fantastic addition though, no doubt.
Sorry but he compared Song to Paul Scholes with his decisive passes!!!
Here is the quote “Mikel Arteta has been a good signing for Arsenal and his arrival has brought the best out of Alex Song. 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.” If your english is good enough to write a blog then am sure you can read too. Please dont write false or misleading comments.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2120248/Alex-Song-playing–Jamie-Redknapps-weekend-watch.html#ixzz1qEqptsIU
Jamie was talking about song not getting enough credit NOT arteta. song now has as many assists as Bale
Song is an enigma. He can hit a forty yard pass that splits defences but sometimes finds it difficult to pass side ways 5 yards without loosing it. A great tackler though, reads the game well. He has improved since Arteta arrived. We will do well to keep him, if the rumours about other clubs interest are true !!
Alex billong song,the rock. that guy is loved in my country. NIGERIA.
Arteta and song has been good for us in midfield.. We are blessed that both of them are there for us the entire season. What would have happened without them.
With the return of wilshere, I hope he plays along with song and arteta to be our midfield 3. Wilshere will play in the advanced attacking mid role and assist in attack, with song and arteta shielding the back 4.
Hopefully we would be able to acquire poldolski who will play on the left, with theo on the right and Rvp upfront!! With just a acquisition of poldolski, arsenal will be challenging for titles again!!
Our defense is strong with 4 quality CB, 2 good RB and 2 good LB!!
mdanosama@yahoo.com
Arterta has been able 2 cover up for song well,allowing him 2 push forward,with wilshere coming bk & maybe if we can sign hazard,we will be playing a diamond MF,with poldi & RVP,up front & vertonghen hopefully in defence.
I think jamie has said it all, aterta is agreat player. He has brought out the best in alex song. The problem right now is that, arsenal fans seem not to recognise aterta contribution towards arsenal good form. I know that one’s day they will do.
I respectfully disagree with Mr. Redknapps assessment of Song’s exceptional passing skills. Yes, Song has ability to make killer passes and he had done it for long time more that what commentators would like to give him credit for but that is not the point, my argument is Song’s ability was there even before Arteta joins the team, as a matter of fact, he could have done even more if Arteta had the speed and ability to help him to do the defensive work. Arteta has certain skills that are admirable but he is not an attack minded player he can only see the player that are close to him not those making the surprise runs alluding defenders but considering Arteta’s experience and his age, there will be little chance, if any, to teach him new skills, what you see is what you get. All I am saying is wait to see Song, Diaby and Rosicky play together in the mid-field, they all can read each others’ game much better, all 3 can defend well, and they all have killer passes that I call a perfect combination. Arteta was a good buy to cover the gap we had during injury crisis and he could always be a good sub to give others a breather. To link Song’s exceptional skill to Arteta’s arrival is absurd. Song would have played even better if Wenger paired him with couqulin in place of Arteta.
Blazer, you are deluded. If you can’t see what Mikel has done, then, there is no better explaination.
Agreed!
Arteta is our Alonso. Keeps the game ticking, and we all know how much it effected the pool when he left.
Arteta is the only fit player in the team that can do this.
Blazer u have point. You have got a really good footballing brain. I also respect Arteta, I really do. What he’s doing to sit a little deeper, is what he’s best good at. For me, Song benefited a great deal playing with Cesc. He can give u more going forward and technically comfortable on the ball than Ramsey. So, amid field of a fit and on form Diaby, Song, Rosicky or Wilshire can destroy any team. Well said Blazer!
@ Blazer. Damn right. Spot-on