Alexandre Song

Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong or simply Alex Song (born September 9, 1987 in Douala, Cameroon) is a Cameroonian footballer who currently plays for Arsenal of the English Premier League. He is the nephew of Trabzonspor player Rigobert Song. He plays as a centre back or a defensive midfielder for Arsenal.

Club career

Bastia

Song joined the Bastia youth team in 2003-04 and became a part of the first team the following season with 34 appearances. During his time at Bastia, he attracted attention from numerous clubs, including Inter, Manchester United, Lyon, and Middlesbrough. However, he impressed Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger as a trialist during Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Austria, and Arsenal secured his services on loan for the 2005-06 season. Arsenal agreed to a £1 million fee in June 2006 and signed him to a four year contract.

Arsenal

Song made his Premiership debut during Arsenal's 2-0 win against Everton on September 19 2005 as a substitute. He played in several Champions League matches and made several Premiership starts near the end of the season, when players like Cesc Fàbregas and Gilberto Silva were injured or being rested.

He scored his first goal for Arsenal against Liverpool in Arsenal's 6-3 win at Anfield in the League Cup on January 9 2007.

On January 30 2007, it was confirmed that Charlton Athletic had signed Song on loan until the end of the 2006-07 season. Although he impressed, Charlton were relegated and Song returned to Arsenal.

Over the 2007-08 season, Song started at centre back for Arsenal's Carling Cup matches, but missed their semi-final elimination by Tottenham while away with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. He also started at centre back in Premier League ties towards the end of the season, most notably in Arsenal's crucial visit to Old Trafford against Manchester United, while regular starter Kolo Touré filled in for Bacary Sagna at right back and Philippe Senderos was emotionally shaken by Arsenal's quarter-final exit from the Champions League.

International career

Although uncapped at the time, Song was named in the Cameroon squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his international debut for Cameroon in their first group match, a 4-2 defeat against holders Egypt; he replaced Stephane Mbia at half time, joining his uncle Rigobert on the pitch. For the duration of the tournament he was a revelation in defense for Cameroon, earning a Man of the Match award in Cameroon's semi final, but then unfortunately going off injured in the final against Egypt. He was nonetheless named in the Tournament Best XI, alongside Newcastle midfielder Geremi.

Cameroon career statistics

(correct as of 10 February 2008)

National Football Team	Africa Cup of Nations			World Cup			Qualifying matches Africa Cup of Nations			Qualifying matches World Cup			Friendly internationals			Total
	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists	Apps	Goals	Assists
Cameroon	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	1

Honours

Cameroon

• African Cup of Nations: runner-up 2008

With Arsenal

Personal

• chosen in African Cup of Nations 2008 best XI

References

External links

• Profile at Arsenal.com
• Profile at 4thegame.com