Gunners finish with a Song

TWO THINGS have been sorely missed at Arsenal since the heady days of 2004, when the Untouchables went an entire season without losing a game; but there is a growing feeling at the Emirates that both are on the verge of being re-discovered.

Much has changed, of course, since Patrick Vieira led his all-conquering Gunners to the title six years ago but the inspirational midfielder has never been properly replaced and the Premier League trophy seems to have gone on an extended holiday too, flitting between Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge but never re-appearing in north London.

Even a manager of Arsene Wenger’s stature has found that difficult to handle, but after his team produced a 1-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday – thanks to an 88th minute goal from Alex Song that looked as though it would never come – hope is on the horizon.

Vieira, of course, won’t be returning in person – Wenger opted not to re-sign the 34-year-old this year for fear of blocking the progress of his current collection of talented young midfielders, and the Frenchman now seems happy to end his career at Manchester City.

But the fruits of that decision, derided by some critics, were evident this weekend with the continued emergence of Song as a central midfielder of real influence – one, in fact, in the great man’s image.

The Cameroon international has always been regarded as a hard-tackling defensive player with an ability to break up play but this year he has added more to his game; he is fitter, more mobile and more ambitious, a point that was eloquently proven by the way he arrived from deep to send a diving header into the net from Gael Clichy’s late, late cross against West Ham – a goal that keeps Arsenal in second place in the table, and only five points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Whether he will also develop the leadership qualities of Vieira remains to be seen, but with four goals already this season he is becoming an increasingly important factor in the club’s title chase .

“Song is moving forward,” said Wenger. “He has improved his engine because before he was less mobile. He doesn’t need a breather now when he goes and comes back. That has added something to his quality.

“Before, he needed a breather when we won the ball, so when we went forward, he was a bit too late. Now, since he has more stamina and capacity, when we win the ball, he is on the move straight away and, when his timing is good, he arrives at the right moment in the box.

“It’s important also that he is now a good trainer because this was not always the case. That's why he has improved.”

Given Song’s rapid progress and the emergence of Jack Wilshere – who was suspended against West Ham – it would be hard for anyone to suggest that Wenger got it wrong when he opted not to offer Vieira an emotional return to Arsenal; and his only concern now is that Song doesn’t get too carried away with his attacking prowess.

“He came here as a centre-back. He will finish centre-forward,” the Frenchman said wryly when asked if Song enjoys attacking a little too much.

But Arsenal fans were certainly grateful for Song’s attacking ambition on Saturday because their side had thrown everything at West Ham and been denied time and time again by brave defending from the visitors and top-class goalkeeping from the much-maligned Robert Green.

Green made excellent saves from Fabregas, Squillaci and Song in the first half and from substitute Theo Walcott after the break – while Arsenal also hit the woodwork through a 35-yard free-kick from Samir Nasri and again from a Walcott chance on the break. No wonder supporters almost burst the roof when Song pounced, a goal which leaves West Ham bottom of the table and Arsenal very much in the title race.

“I would say Chelsea is the super-favourite and everybody else is chasing,” insisted Wenger. “But our advantage is that we have played already at Chelsea, at Man City, at Liverpool and we will go to Man United next month. So for us it is very important to keep in touch with the top teams knowing we will play them all at home in the second part of the season, with the absolute need to beat them here. If we can keep in touch until the second part of the season we have a chance.”