Ricky1985 wrote:

Also, would like to add, Song would make for a seriously good signing for Man City. The poorer parts of his game wouldn't be as exposed as they are in our more fluid, less disciplined midfield, and his strengths would really come to the fore. He'd be a top, top signing for them. Good but flawed player.

Man City play similar football to us. Possession based, intricate football, which suits players like Silva and Yaya well. Song is a good midfielder with plenty of potential but his habit of turning over possession so readily would damage a team like Man City. I still think he can wean that out of his game but he needs to keep it simple and ease up on the hollywood balls.

As I said on the last page, there is no great mystery here. We don't need to sell, so either Wenger doesn't rate Song on the pitch or he thinks he's being a prick off it. Those of you who are big fans of Song will just have to reconcile with that fact I'm afraid.

Angered by the way Song and Dein have engaged with Barcelona?
He's seen the way these things end.
Probably thinks Song is at his peak in terms of value?

timBO! wrote:

As I said on the last page, there is no great mystery here. We don't need to sell, so either Wenger doesn't rate Song on the pitch or he thinks he's being a prick off it. Those of you who are big fans of Song will just have to reconcile with that fact I'm afraid.

The is a third option. We want to discuss a contract, he doesn't want to, Wenger can see whats coming next year or the year after and decided to just get rid of him now.

timBO! wrote:

As I said on the last page, there is no great mystery here. We don't need to sell, so either Wenger doesn't rate Song on the pitch or he thinks he's being a prick off it. Those of you who are big fans of Song will just have to reconcile with that fact I'm afraid.

Pretty much. But this is only if we are looking to sell. Otherwise we know nothing other than Song recently stating he was happy at the club. There does seem to be something going on behind the scenes though. I must say he has always annoyed the shit out of me and I'll be happy to see another new face in CM. If we are not going to replace him, we might as well keep him.

AW on Song and players coming happen: 'both can happen. We have 6 or 7 players in midfield, we have much more freedom to make decisions.'

timBO! wrote:

As I said on the last page, there is no great mystery here. We don't need to sell, so either Wenger doesn't rate Song on the pitch or he thinks he's being a prick off it. Those of you who are big fans of Song will just have to reconcile with that fact I'm afraid.

Wenger's obviously got a fuse as short as a bee's dick this summer, so I don't think it's either here or there.

If he lets Song go he's lost the plot in my opinion, and it doesn't matter how annoying he or Darren Dein is theoretically being. Gains us nothing and he'll be worth just as much next summer.

otfgoon wrote:

AW on Song and players coming happen: 'both can happen. We have 6 or 7 players in midfield, we have much more freedom to make decisions.'

'If needed we will invest more money'** 'We've lost players before and survived'** We have freedom in midfield** 'We have the quality to deal with it'

What freedom?

Not too fussed about loosing Song really. Was never his biggest fan and if we get Sahin in to play alongside Arteta I think we'll come away from this whole scenario a better team too.

I don't think the suggestion is that Song is being annoying, it's that his attitude is shit and generally corrosive. IF it's true he absolutely has to go. Nothing comes before the team.

@ Tambourine, that seems to be the general consensus but it's based on the belief that we're actually going to sign Sahin and that his contributions will immediately be on a par with Song's.
Very risky.

y va marquer wrote:

What freedom?

Hard to know what he means but I think he's trying to say that because we're stocked in midfield we're in a position where we can refine and tinker with it (i.e get rid of Song for Sahin) without worrying too much.

i'm pretty sure we'll end up selling and replacing internally - keep harping back to wenga saying we need to make £15m from player sales each summer. this would pretty much get us there

@Tim I agree, if his attitude is actually a major problem - although any evidence of that beyond reported Wenger fulminations, silly hats and rumblings about "positional discipline" would be nice.

Song has made no public statement against Arsenal. He's said he's happy and that the reported interest from Barca is flattering but he's not leaving. Wenger has also said he's not leaving, although he now says selling him's an option.

I know this will anger Song fans, but I can't help being quite excited by those quotes. Shake it up Arsene!

Did he get asked about M'Vila?

Song never actually said he's not leaving.

He didn't get asked about M'vila as far as I know.
Basically we're going to sell Song if the price is right.
Replacement may or may not be external.
Again depending on the price.
I reckon Dula is right when he says we'll more than likely replace from within.

Sorry, you're right: he said he was "at Arsenal and happy at Arsenal" or something like that 😐

Wenger isn't going to sell Song for the sake of it and not replace him. From his words it seems quite clear that if we sell him it's our decision.