In the past three seasons Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong has carvedhimself a niche as Arsenal's No 1 defensive midfielder.
Strong in the tackle, positionally aware and a good distributor of theball, he is becoming a master at protecting his back four, breaking upopposition forays and initiating attacks.
Arsene Wenger made his singing permanent at the end of the season afteran impressive start to the Cameroon man's Arsenal career.
2006/07
First-team opportunities were few and far between at Arsenal and Alexwas the loaned out to Premier League side Charlton in January.
Before Christmas he made just four starts, though he did score hisfirst goal in an Arsenal shirt during a 6-3 victory at Anfield in theCarling Cup. He grabbed the Gunners' third in fortuitous fashion asSami Hyypia's attempted clearance bounced in off the midfielder afterCesc Fabregas' corner had cleared a bunch of players at the near post.
He spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Charlton where heimpressed greatly despite their relegation to the Championship. "It wasgood for me to play every week. I played maybe 12 or 13 games," he saidof his time with the Addicks.
2007/08
Alex made further inroads into Arsene Wenger's first team as hefeatured 15 times throughout the season. Although playing the majorityof those matches as a holding midfielder he also operated in defence.
He impressed in Arsenal's run to the Carling Cup Semi-Finals and havingearned a late call-up to Cameroon's squad for the Africa Cup ofNations, was named in the tournament's Best XI.
Injury sidelined Alex on his return from that competition though he wasa surprise inclusion to face Manchester United in a vital title clashin April. He barely put a foot wrong at Old Trafford and went on toplay every minute of Arsenal's last five Premier League fixtures.
In June, he signed a new long-term contract with the Club.
2008/09 was Alex's breakthrough season. The then 21-year-oldestablished himself as a key member of Arsene Wenger's squad, making 48appearances in all competitions.
He enjoyed his most productive and eye-catching campaign yet as heemerged as a genuine midfield enforcer - the perfect foil for CescFabregas in the Arsenal engine room.
Arsene Wenger's 4-3-3 formation allowed Alex to flourish in 2009/10season in his preferred position behind the more attack-mindedmidfielders but he did get forward to score one goal - a thumpingheader against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
That was his final Premier League contribution before heading to theAfrica Cup of Nations and Alex was missed. His absence was also keenlyfelt when injury ruled him out of vital trips to Barcelona, Tottenhamand Wigan. It's not outlandish to suggest that Arsenal would have madea better fist of those three games with their midfield rock in place.
Barcelona
On 20 August 2012, Song signed a five-year contract with FC Barcelonafor a fee of 15m. He made his Barcelona debut against Real Madrid inthe 2012 Supercopa de Espana on 29 August 2012 as a substitute for thelast 15 minutes, finishing the match with a perfect passing statistic.On 17 November, Song scored his first goal for Barcelona in a 3-1 winagainst Real Zaragoza after being assisted by Lionel Messi.
General
Item Dimensions
Other Features
| Date Of Birth: |
9 September 1987
|
| Figurine Collector Number: |
SOC164
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| Figurine Kit: |
Barcelona Home kit
|
| Nationality: |
Cameroonian
|
| Position: |
Defensive Midfielder
|
| Season: |
2012 – 2013
|
| Sponsor: |
Unicef
|
| Team: |
FC Barcelona
|
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