Arsenal Transfers: 5 Reasons Wenger Would Be Mad To Sell Song

By Simon Gallagher / August 12, 2012

midfielder said to have agreed to a move that would see him pocket £75,000, but nothing is yet confirmed, though rumour has it the deal is set for completion sooner rather than later. In the past couple of seasons, Song has improved beyond recognition from the player who was sent out on loan to Charlton Athletic shortly after joining the club. He is an infinitely more mature player, far more assured on the ball and capable of tackling and passing with the same kind of poise and precision. Yes, he can lose his head occasionally, as he did during Arsenal's opening match last year at Newcastle when he stamped on Joey Barton, but his passion is an advantage for a player in his position as long as he can balance it with a sensible approach to play. At the minute, Arsenal aren't being forced to sell, as they are with Robin Van Persie, as Song has a couple of years left on his contract which runs out in 2015 - so any decision to sell would be made by the board, and would presumably only be based on Barcelona's willingness to spend a fairly sizeable fee on the Cameroonian. But money aside, at the current moment, Arsenal would be mad to sell the player signed from Bastia for just £1m back in 2006 after an initial loan deal. And here are our five reasons why...

1. Lack of Squad Depth

Despite Wenger's assertions that he wouldn't be trying to sign Yann M'Vila because his squad depth meant there was no need, the loss of Song would leave a gaping hole in the middle of the midfield with no-one of either Song's type or calibre able to step in from the current available options. Song is Wenger's first choice, beyond a shadow of a doubt, and the decision to sell him would weaken Arsenal as they currently stand. Wenger might suggest that the returning Abou Diaby offers cover, and that he has plenty of midfielders at his disposal, none offer the same type of play as Song, and if the manager wants to play that sort of system, he wouldn't have the necessary personnel. Of course the money brought in for Song could be re-invested, but with only a couple of weeks left before the transfer window closes, and no pre-season time left to bed any new player in, Arsene Wenger might be put off and prefer to hold onto his man.