Would Alex Song have been the perfect summer signing for Arsenal?

Cameroon midfielder Alex Song has produced some impressive displays on-loan at West Ham after failing to establish himself at Spanish giants Barcelona

West Ham are currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table after nine games of the league campaign.

The Hammers have surprised many in their transformation in playing style this season under Sam Allardyce.

Unsung

While more attacking players such as Stewart Downing, Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have won the plaudits, the foundations of the Hammers style of play are underpinned by defensive midfielder Alex Song, who has been a bit of an unsung hero for the Londoners so far this season.

Surprise

Alex Song’s summer loan move to West Ham from Barcelona came as a bolt from the blue. There was no speculation linking Song with the Hammers.

In fact he was being heavily linked with a return to former-club Arsenal and Liverpool prior to the move to the East End.

The move from a club who regularly challenge for the Champions League to a club who were perceived as a team set to struggle this season was certainly a surprisingly one for Song. It was also a gamble for the midfielder, but the move has paid off so far.

Staying

Song has been impressive on his return to English football and it seems he wishes to stay in the Premier League in the long-term. Asked about his future Song told Sky Sports News: “No, I think my future will be here.

“My family, everyone is happy here. I’m very happy to come back to England. I’ve always said if I move from Barcelona, I’ll come to England and my future is here anyway. I just want to enjoy playing at the moment and we’ll see what is happening at the end of the season.”

Regrets

With Song performing so admirably in the heart of the West Ham midfield, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may just be regretting not making a summer move for the 27-year-old. I am sure he would have jumped at the chance of moving back to north London with the Gunners.

Problem

The defensive midfield position has been a problem one for the Gunners for a long time now. Song was starting to fulfil his potential at the Emirates Stadium when he left for Barcelona after seven years.

The move to La Liga did not quite pan out for the Cameroon international, as he played a bit-part role in his two seasons at the Nou Camp. He was often used as a centre-back, or a substitute for the Catalan giants for whom he made 39 La Liga appearances.

This summer it was assumed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would recruit a defensive midfielder, as it looked to be one of his team’s weak positions last season. However, the veteran French boss decided to keep faith in the likes of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini.

That faith seems to have been misplaced. Arteta has spent much of the season sidelined through injury and Flamini has displayed his undoubted limitations this season with some very dubious performances.

In my mind Song is a better defensive midfielder than both Arsenal’s current options. He is fitter, stronger and younger. Song has shown his ability for West Ham this season, especially against champions Manchester City last Saturday, where he was one of the Hammers best players.

At the moment I think if you asked most Arsenal fans who they would want in their team, Song or Arsenal’s current defensive midfielders, the majority would opt for the Cameroon international.

Arsenal boss Wenger has been criticised for not bringing in another defensive midfielder in the summer and it is a puzzle as to why he did not make a move for Song.

The midfielder would have been the ideal signing for the Gunners. He would not have cost them a fee and he can cover both the centre-back and centre midfield positions, two areas that the Gunners are struggling with at the moment for different reasons.

Future

Alex Song looks surplus to requirements at Barcelona and looks set to move on a permanent basis next summer. If he continues to produce high levels of performances at the Boleyn Ground then he will be in-demand next summer.

Arsene Wenger could do a lot worse than looking into bringing the Cameroon international back to the club next summer, as he could be a very useful asset for the Gunners.

Will Arsenal regret not re-signing Alex Song?