Song, Arteta and Wilshere would have been a combination made for europe, IMO. But as al says above, it's not like this leaves you high and dry. You still have some very good midfielders. But maybe none that can do what Song did.
Alex Song
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Song, Arteta and Wilshere would have been a combination made for europe, IMO. But as al says above, it's not like this leaves you high and dry. You still have some very good midfielders. But maybe none that can do what Song did.
I can't believe Song is going to be a Barca player tbh
Well that Ronaldo and this is Song.
Replacing Robin's 30 goals is a difficult task, but Song's creativity & presence is not something i really worry about replacing.
Arteta contributed more defensively. Him playing alongside a grafter in Ramsey, allowing Cazorla to dictate play, is a ready-made option already in place.
It's weird that United fans are more worried about Song leaving than Arsenal fans. 
And who is to say Arsene won't buy another player?
Nah, we just like poking fun at hypocrites.
That's because you've always thought he's crap.
I just think it sounds absurd. Let's say that Ronaldo is comparable to Van Persie as the most important player. After that it would be Wilshere/Song, and Rio/Vidic. If we'd sold Vidic along with Ronaldo then sure, we could've replaced him. Sir Alex is great at picking centre backs just like Wenger's great at picking centre mids. I'd never have said it was an easy task though. I just think you're talking crap and/or in denial.
4 days ago.
You've got to hand it to them, the modern day footballer has perfected the art of shafting the fans.
El Mundo Deportivo claim a transfer is imminent. The fees is though to be 20m Euros plus addons.
If it were a case of not having any options, going outside to buy replacement & hoping that it works; then i would have been worried.
But we have Coquelin, Frimpong, Arteta, Diaby, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Chamberlain, who can occupy those 3 midfield position.
We never played someone in true DM responsibilities. We have played 4231, with midfield rotation; and we will continue so.
Since we have internal solution, i am sure this particular task is easy.
Song is still an excellent player i repeat and he will continue to develop with Barcelona and his fitness is amazing(hardly misses any match).
Good purchase for Barca, but we ain't that fussed about this, as we have been for Fabregas & Persie.
Sure, he ain't Cesc or Van Persie, but Barca are apparently getting him on the cheap and similar players go for a lot more money...
Yeah, Song should be sold for 25 something, but considering we are not selling him to City, Chelsea or you guys; i had gladly take that 5m pound hit.
Now let's see who will Wenger will bring in to replace Song. M'villa? Does help when he's French
Arsenal has got themselves a ridiculous profit here. I still remember his loan stint at Charlton and how much he has grown up as a footballer. He's a very good player
Arsenal has got themselves a ridiculous profit here. I still remember his loan stint at Charlton and how much he has grown up as a footballer. He's a very good player
Etienne Capoué
Is Song your first imminent signing this season? Or have you sign someone else too?
I thought Barcelona signed Alba?
Capoue.
Yeah, I get that angle. But Barca saying "we'll pay this, you should take it" really irks me...easy for them to maintain their dominance this way
Aye just recalled that
€20million is a steal, they always seem to get players for below their value.
Probably a reaction to their retarded deals during the summer of 2009. They were seriously mugged by clubs at the time and that probably changed their approach to transfers.
Chygrynskiy, Caceres, Hleb, Keirrison, Zlatan
They always get their man on the cheap
They got Mascherano for similar money too.
I admire Fletcher as a man but not as a footballer.I think you overrate him
Fletcher at his peak was better
Still seems like a strange move by Barca and a bit pointless for them.
You're joking - he's a top tika-taka with physical presence and may give Busquets a run for his money.
Song might end up regretting the move. MIGHT may i emphasis.
That central defender spot is up for the grabs though, however Song always preferred midfield position.
" Originally Posted by Wittmann45 View Post
Chygrynskiy, Caceres, Hleb, Keirrison, Zlatan"
Keirrison really have wasted his career by going there. 5 loaned out moves in 3 years.
He was banging goals in Brazil and culd have earned a placed in their NT, had he not joined Barcelona.
That central defender spot is up for the grabs though, however Song always preferred midfield position.
" Originally Posted by Wittmann45 View Post
Chygrynskiy, Caceres, Hleb, Keirrison, Zlatan"
Keirrison really have wasted his career by going there. 5 loaned out moves in 3 years.
He was banging goals in Brazil and culd have earned a placed in their NT, had he not joined Barcelona.
How dare you speak like that about the mighty Barcelona, they've wasted no one, Real Madrid waste everyone.
He seems a better option than Keita in my view. It may give Barca a genuine opportunity to rest Busquets more often, without losing too much of what he provides, as i felt was the case with Keita.
Although from what i recall of Keita he seemed not to replace Busquets, but more brought on to sure the midfield up towards the end of games. Not watched loads of Barca in La Liga though, so forgive me if i may not be entirely accurate with that assessment.
Song seems to be closer to Busquets in terms of contribution on the ball than Keita was is what i am saying.
Although from what i recall of Keita he seemed not to replace Busquets, but more brought on to sure the midfield up towards the end of games. Not watched loads of Barca in La Liga though, so forgive me if i may not be entirely accurate with that assessment.
Song seems to be closer to Busquets in terms of contribution on the ball than Keita was is what i am saying.
To be fair his rise to stardom was more because of his precocious physical growth rather than outstanding footballing ability. Once the rest of the youngsters caught up, it was hard for him to stand out. He was never Seleção material, decent player yes but never to that level.
Hehe Pete has been completely wrong about transfers this summer.
I don't understand why he wants to leave, though. He's not going to become first choice in that midfield. Busquets is miles ahead of him.
I've always thought Busquets is overrated, and I could see Song get a lot of playing time.
At least he's not pretending that Song's actually shit and won't be missed like the other gooners (bar Al)
Maybe we should sit here and cry or being alaister and blame Wenger & the board for him leaving then? I genuinely don't care that he is leaving and the only way I'd get annoyed now is if we didn't bring in a quality replacement. Then I'd get pretty wound up about it but from what I've read the Sahin deal might happen soon. M'Vila is another I'm hearing but I'm sceptical on that one.
https://www.redcafe.net/11382274-post28.html - My comments in March saying defensively not good enough
https://www.redcafe.net/11607766-post93.html - Again in May as when Arteta got injured he got showed up pretty badly and was a mess in midfield and all over the shop. Oh look I even say if he doesn't improve we should get someone else
Don't have to sell him at all because if we did, now don't take this as gospel or anything but this summer he has refused to sign a new and improved contract and been telling fellow team mates that he could play at a better club if he wanted. Barca being interested seems to have inflated his ego and from what I can tell Wenger has had enough of certain players and those who are not willing to commit to a new deal are welcome to leave. From I'm hearing Theo will be signing a new contract soon.
Go on Pogue, name and shame them.....
So he told team-mates he could play for a better club, refused to sign a new and improved contract at Arsenal and ended up signing for a better club?
Sounds like he was frog-marched to Barca, kicking and screaming, poor chap.
Sounds like he was frog-marched to Barca, kicking and screaming, poor chap.