The normal rules don't apply to hero's and madmen.

Is that a caveat or an addendum? Just so we all know.

I'll wait for some indication beyond 'Wenger didn't like Song's attitude in training' before I believe Song's attitude was why this sale was allowed. That would be a pretty low threshold of tolerance—not many other clubs would trash a useful player on that basis without exhausting other options.

My main concern is that it's happening because Wenger wanted to make further changes (eg Sahin) and was told he needed to flog a player to do it.

The other possibility that stands out for me is that this might be some kind of anti-Dein/anti-agent measure, following through on a policy about tapping up. I would like that to be true.

Tony Montana wrote:

timBO! wrote:

The players we've lost in recent seasons have either had leverage on the club with their contracts running down or extremely succesful and rich clubs chasing them incessantly, usually for a year or more.

Not Song though to be fair. In no way even 2 months ago did people think he would leave regardless of what they think of him as a player.

timBO! wrote:

Kos and Vermaelen on the other hand have both just signed long new deals and have never been seriously linked with a move. They're not superstars being chased by all the big clubs. Football is unpredictable, but there is no tangible reason to expect either to leave.

If Barca come calling then who knows?

Why are my posts blank?

That one isn't, and it looks like you edited the previous?

You forgot to close a [ quote ] tag.

timBO! wrote:

Is that a caveat or an addendum? Just so we all know.

An observation.

kamikaze wrote:

no player owes the club or the supporters anything.

If it weren't for Wenger, RVP would have never played as an out and out CF.

Disappointing really, but I guess we're going in a different direction, and his inefficient passing probably won't be missed. Midfield worryingly lacking in physicality now - unless we're going to rely on Diaby (which I'm not convinced we will).

Actually, the most interesting (or at least one interesting) aspect of this is that we lose a lot of flexibility in 'emergency' situations. Song regularly slotted back into the defence, to at least a serviceable level - when we had a player down for 5 minutes, a player sent off, or an extra striker thrown on. He could contribute pretty much front to back.

We literally have no one within the current squad who can step in. Sahin or not, Song will be missed more than is being made out here.

He improved year on year and had a great work ethic.

Think Diaby, for all his many, many (many) faults, can comfortably offer what Song offered, and then some.*

• IF he stays fit. Although, I don't want him starting more than 15 games even if he does.

I hope the club spends the money.

Song is a penis.

Diaby has never played centreback in his life, to my knowledge.

It was a useful quality of Songs, but not something to lose any sleep over.

Song played about 500 minutes of his whole Arsenal career at centreback, and half of those were in the League Cup.

He was generaly shit there when a bit of actual defending was required as well. Good on the ball though!

I'm too pleased I won't have to watch him dong his thing in midfield this season to see any negatives.

Song gave a false sense of defensive security, he had a few defensive solid games when he simply sat in front of the back 4 (against manure he kept rooney in check) but he looks deceptively big and could intercept play but on too many occasions went wandering forward or simply couldnt be bothered and was rash. I for one would be happy if we got in someone physical but intelligent, disciplined and experienced to replace him. Who knows it may actually improve our terrible defensive record and stop vermaelen from going on ridiculous surges every 10 mins.

We need more strength in midfield though.