The general consensus seems to be that we need a central midfielder to partner Cesc in the centre of the park. We need a dominating defensive-minded player who will do the dirty work in the centre of the pitch winning the ball back and launching our attacks forward. And if possible, perhaps this midfielder ought to be tall to give us an extra aerial threat and give us some added defensive solidity defending corners and set pieces.
But with pre-season about to be underway, and most of our players having already returned to training, we have yet to see that big arrival. So I pose the question, what if we don't sign a new midfielder?
Here's the answer: it doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter because we already have the player described above. And although a new signing would undoubtedly be the best thing we could get, what if we don't? What then? Then it will be time to say hello to who I believe should partner Fabregas in CM next season: Alexandre Song.
Alex Song had a disastrous start to his Arsenal career, and for the few seasons after that it really didn't look like he would make it at this football club. But then came last season, the season where I believe our young players finally grew up and gained the experience they need to be top class footballers and true title contenders; and Song was one of them.In the latter half of last season Song started partnering Denilson in central midfield. This was before Cesc returned from injury, and at the time perhaps few noticed the effect it was having. With Song next to him, Denilson was able to get forward more and attack as he has always been accustomed to doing. And with Arshavin, Walcott, and Eduardo also returning, it got us back in form.
Then Fabregas at last returned, and Arsene Wenger had to make a choice: should Denilson partner Fabregas in midfield has he had done earlier in the season, or, considering our newfound defensive-mindedness, should Song partner Cesc? The decision made by Le Boss was to have Song partner Fabregas, and Denilson was left to the bench for the final month or so of the season.
And when Fabregas returned, we all noted how his form had drastically improved. He was attacking more, racking up the assists, and looking like the Cesc of old. But it wasn't just the long layoff that improved his form. For the first time in the season, he had a strong, dominating defensive midfielder behind him who was doing the work of cleaning up and winning the ball back; this player was Alex Song.
One need only look at his performance against Manchester United in both the League and Champions League to see the improvement in the Cameroonian midfielder. He was doing all the work that Flamini used to do, he looked solid, and most importantly his passing when he won the ball back was excellent.
If we don't sign a new defensive midfielder during this transfer window, I don't believe it will be the end of the world or a major inhibitor to a title push. Because we already have just the man we need for the job, and that man is Alexandre Song. I believe he should partner Fabregas in midfield next season, because, in a manner epitomising Arsene Wenger's youth plan, he has grown into the long-term replacement for both Flamini and Viera.
Feel free to either agree or vehemently disagree with me in the comments section below; I won't bite. And while you're here, if you for some reason you find yourself liking the blog, be sure to check out our Twitter and Facebook pages, and maybe even follow or become a fan of ours. Thanks for stopping by...four more days till Arsenal football begins again.
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