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29 March 2024

Song slams Arsenal after joining Barca

Newly signed FC Barcelona player Alex Song jokes with his new teammate Cesc Fabregas prior to the Joan Gamper Trophy friendly between FC Barcelona and Sampdoria at Camp Nou on monday in Barcelona, Spain. (GETTY)

Published
By Staff with Agencies

Alex Song became the latest player to taunt Arsenal for the lack of ambition and hunger to win trophies - albeit after completing his £15 million switch to Barcelona.

Just days after Robin van Persie quit for Manchester United in search of silverware, the Cameroon midfielder, 24, became the latest Arsenal ace to leave.

“Barcelona are the best team in the world because they have all the best players. I will just try to do my job to give my best in training and when the boss gives me a chance to play I will do it," declared Song for whom it is a dream come true.

He said: “To be part of this team is something I wanted to achieve when I was young.

“I always tried to think ‘I will play for Barcelona’ and now I have the opportunity to be here and play with the best players in the world — Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas.”

But more importantly he wants to be part of winning combination.

He said: “I expect the team to continue winning because they are a winning team — they’ve won everything. I hope this year we will win everything."

Song completed his move from Premier League side Arsenal to Barcelona after signing a deal worth 19 million euros ($23.45 million), both clubs said on Monday.

The 25-year-old, who has agreed a five-year contract, became Barca's second major reinforcement for the new season after Spain full back Jordi Alba was landed from Valencia for 14 million euros.

Song will be presented to fans at the Nou Camp later in the day when Barca take on Sampdoria in the annual Joan Gamper trophy, a traditional friendly.

Barca opened their 2012-13 La Liga campaign with a 5-1 rout of Real Sociedad at home on Sunday.

After the match, new Barca coach Tito Vilanova welcomed the arrival of his new recruit.

"He is going to help us a lot and he brings height to the team," Vilanova told a news conference.

"He will be a surprise to many in football terms because he is a very good player."

Song brings cover to the midfield holding role usually occupied by Sergio Busquets, with Seydou Keita having departed last month, and may be expected to help out in the centre of defence as well.

Barca have been short at the back recently with ageing captain Carles Puyol, who is 34, struggling with a string of injuries and Eric Abidal out as he recovers from a liver transplant.

Busquets and Javier Mascherano have dropped back from midfield to play alongside Gerard Pique in defence at times.

Song joined Arsenal in 2005 and made 204 appearances for the London club.

He follows Dutch striker Robin van Persie in quitting Arsenal this month, leaving fans of Arsene Wenger's team aghast at the continual drain of talent from the Emirates. Cesc Fabregas moved back to Barca from Arsenal last year.

Van Persie joined Manchester United last week in a deal worth 24 million pounds.