Song salutes father-figure Wenger

Barcelona midfielder Alex Song has paid tribute to former manager Arsene Wenger, saying the Frenchman was ‘like a father’ to him at Arsenal.

The Cameroon international moved to north London as a 17-year-old, and initially found it hard to adapt to life in the capital after leaving his family in France.

And Song says that Wenger made the transition to a new country and culture smoother.

“I am who I am thanks to him (Wenger),” Song told Barca Magazine.

“When I came to England, he was a big help to me. I was very young, just 17, not 25 like I am now. Wenger was like a father to me.

“It was very hard for me at first because I had left my family behind in France, and so he treated me like a son.

“I have a great relationship with Wenger. I want to thank him for believing in me. I want to give him back everything he gave me. I’m sure he’s happy to see where I am now and the kind of player I have become.”

Song claims that he is settling into life in Spain well, but also offers his thanks to team-mate and fellow Arsenal alumni Cesc Fabregas for helping him adjust.

He added: “I have known him (Fabregas) for a long time and I slept at his house for the first few nights I was here. He’s a good friend. He tries to help me in training, in every game, on and off the field.”