Top 10 young players signed by Arsene Wenger for Arsenal (Part 6)
Alexandre Song signed from Bastia in 2006
Alexander Song, more commonly known as Alex Song, is a professional footballer who plays for Cameroon’s national football team and also for Arsenal. Song plays as a defensive midfielder in front of the back four. Alex is one of the many Arsenal versatile players who can play in different positions. The Cameroonian International has the vast tendency to play in different roles. Alex Song is proficient in both attack and defence.
Song is also regarded as box-to-box player. Alex Song has also played as a stand-in centre back and right back. Recently, Song has formed a formidable partnership in the midfield with Gunners skipper, Cesc Fabregas. In the latest fixture, Song managed to put the ball behind the bars with the diligent chip, it was a goal to remember for all Arsenal Fans.
Song, originally a utility player on the fringes of the first team, quickly became a vital part of the first team during the preseason to the 2009–10 campaign of Arsenal. Since that Song has started most of the games for the Gunners.
Alex Song joined the French club Bastia’s youth team in 2003–04. Song became a part of the first team the following season with 34 appearances. Song was a great success at the French Club. The Cameroon International attracted attention from numerous clubs, including all top clubs of Europe Inter Milan, Manchester United, Lyon and Juventus during his stay at the French side Bastia.
In 2005, Arsenal initially signed Alex Song on loan from Bastia, after the Cameroonian international had established himself in the first team there. Although, Song was not able to settle well in London during his first season, he was transferred for a fee of around £1m in summer 2006. After the first season, the 23-year old midfielder was able to make his place in the starting eleven. He has since racked up almost 130 appearances for the Gunners, adding steel to the centre of midfield as well as filling in at the back when required. He is also now a regular for the Indomitable Lions.
Denilson - signed from Sao Paulo in 2006
Denilson Pereira Neves, known simply as Denilson, is a Brazilian footballer who plays in midfield. Denilson was the former captain of the Brazil under-20 national team.
The talented Brazilian midfielder started his career at Brazil’s most renowned club, Sao Paulo FC, where he was the integral part of the side that won the 2005 Copa Libertadores and the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup. However, Denilson was a reserve for Sao Paulo FC. He had only managed to make twelve appearances for the club, eight of those coming off the substitutes' bench.
On 31 August 2006, Denilson joined English Giants, Arsenal for a fee of £3.4 million. The young Brazilian was given the number 15 shirt. Denilson’s transfer to Arsenal was a great surprise to the Arsenal Community, because of his lack of experience in club football. He has been described as "a little bit in between Tomas Rosicky and Gilberto", by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
However, the Brazilian made his English Premier League debut for Arsenal on 30 December 2006. He came on as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. He entered first team duties right from the off, and has become a fixture in the centre of midfield.
The talented Brazilian midfielder has a decent eye for goal and has an understated, refined style of play. The talented midfielder is capable of scoring goals from long range. Last season, Denilson scored the first goal for Arsenal in the starting campaign against Everton at home, which Arsenal won by 6-0. However, he has yet to claim a trophy at the Emirates.
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