Yeah, he's never been big on stamina. He's someone who is phenomenal in little bursts, but watch him after he does one of his slaloming runs or charges forward to meet the ball in the box. He's got that Andre Santos way of getting back on defense very slowly.

I'm not sure I agree. He was right out of the Davids mould as far as energy levels were concerned when he played for Monaco and the first few years for Barcelona. Bit like how Kolo used to be for us. I always thought it was funny that both brothers played like their pants were on fire. I suppose it's possible that he coped better with the slower tempo in France and Spain though.

Both brothers appear to have regressed physically at Man City, Kolo more than Yaya. To me, they don't appear to be working as hard as when they were at Arsenal and Barcelona, and have lost some shape / gained some weight.

Also worth noting that if you compare Song's current physique to Yaya's in that gif, you can tell why one lasts the full 90 and the other doesn't. Yaya would benefit by losing weight as Song has done the last 2-3 years.

If Wenger had gotten his hands on this boy 6 or 7 years ago, he would've turned him into a beast. Sad. England needs to fix its footballer permitting system

The permit system never worried Wenger when he wanted to buy a little weedy dribbler and park him overseas for a couple of years.

Difference is that Vela was willing to do that. Touré was not.

TheTGP wrote:

Both brothers appear to have regressed physically at Man City, Kolo more than Yaya. To me, they don't appear to be working as hard as when they were at Arsenal and Barcelona, and have lost some shape / gained some weight.

Also worth noting that if you compare Song's current physique to Yaya's in that gif, you can tell why one lasts the full 90 and the other doesn't. Yaya would benefit by losing weight as Song has done the last 2-3 years.

Song has had to lose weight? :hmm:

He's never been overweight.

Not really sure Yaya has gained weight either.

Never got the losing weight thing with Song and Yaya either I have to say.

Song has definitely reduced his weight in the last 2-3 seasons. When he was heavier his stamina used to be really shit, which restricted him to the pure DM role, but now he's become leaner and can last the full 90 playing anywhere.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-stamina-helps-song-to-attack

^^^ This article was taken from last October when Song's physique was showing big improvement...but I feel he's reached another level fitness-wise since then.

(Also Toure looks kinda big in that picture if you ask me. It's hard to play box to box for 90 min carrying all that. I honestly think he could lose 5-10 pounds, keep his strength, and up his stamina all at the same time.)

I hear what you are saying, I just disagree. Song´s stamina has improved, but what that has to do with him losing weight I fail to see. As for Yaya, I think he has pretty much looked the same for 5 years. You were saying he had regressed physically at Man City, and I don´t think he has. He is a bit chunky and could well lose a few pounds, but that has been the case already before he joined City.

Song from 2008. If anything he has gained weight, and it´s all muscle.

I agree, on Yaya he's always been chunky...it might be that I didnt watch him as much at Barca as I do now, but my impression is he's gotten worse with age.

On Song, I guess we disagree. I'm almost positive he's lost weight (even if that particular picture might not show it), but I am sure he hasn't gained.

My overall point was that Yaya should trim down, because stamina is really important in his position and Song definitely has more of it.

Song has without doubt put on quite a bit of muscles since 2008. Thought that was obvious to anyone.

Biggus wrote:

The permit system never worried Wenger when he wanted to buy a little weedy dribbler and park him overseas for a couple of years.

We essentially did the same with Yaya though. We asked him to go to Beveren until he could get his EU passport, but he decided to leave after 2 seasons because he was establishing himself in the Ivory Coast team.

I think song has gained weight but is leaner. Lower body fat

Songs bulked up well, he seems both stronger and fitter.

I think the clubs learned a bit more about how to get players in shape for the Premiership. That transition period after the invincibles was a team of skinny weaklings. The likes of Hleb, Reyes, Rosicky, teenage Cesc, etc Now even the small guys like Walcott have bulked up and added the muscle you need to succeed.

Don't know what the deal is with noodle legs Gibbs though. He needs to get on whatever weights plan Theo was on when he bulked up that time. And you'd think being injured so much it'd give him that opportunity to build mass too. He badly needs it, it'd help him to fight off the injuries a bit more too.

with gibbs i think he's always going to be like that. have you seen his twin who plays in the lower leagues? that dude is much sturdier looking. he gobbled up the majority of their mom's nutrients in the womb. gibbs got the better footballing ability.

just googled him and i was only able to find this headshot: