Blog: Arsenal are VanSongtastic

Arsenal are back..

The rise of London club Arsenal from a dismal start to the season has been nothing short of a fairy tale.

How else can one explain an 8-2 drubbing and a host of other poor showings in the early season to being almost invincible in recent weeks?

Most attention has been rightfully given to newly crowned PFA player of the year Robin Van Persie, the mercurial Arsenal super striker who also doubles up as the team's captain. Van Persie has been scoring almost at will and with all manners of goals, ranging from volleys, tap ins and seemingly impossible 20 to 25 yard screamers.

Van Persie had as at the 21st of April notched 27 goals which made him the top scorer ahead of other equally capable forwards such as Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero.

Unsung Song 

However, as capable as we all accept he is, to score as many goals as he does and make the team win, somebody somewhere has to be doing the dirty donkey work.

Fortunately, just like in most cases the king maker is never in the fore and usually always goes unnoticed and in Arsenal's context this king maker has to be Cameroonian midfield maestro Alex Song.

Song is definitely the unsung Arsenal hero this season owing to the fact that he has been everpresent in the team.

Making hard tackles neatly, giving assists and even scoring when lady luck smiles, it is fascinating to note that though he is a defensive midfielder, he has the sixth highest number of assists only trailing Juan Mata of Chelsea, Antonio Valencia of Man United, Emmanuel Adebayor, Van Persie and David Silva of Manchester city. 

Unlike Song, the primary role of these five players in their respective teams is to create chances as opposed to the defensive role played by Song, which makes his feat look even better.

Telepathic understanding

Song and Van Persie have also struck a telepathic understanding, which has given the club a chance to win games.

Now for the player of the season...

As the season is headed for closure, the gunners spotlight will as has already been seen, be on Van Persie for being a gem infront of goal, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain for mesmerising fans with his skill and versatility despite his tender age.

However, just like Dennis Oliech in the Mark Vivien Foe award in France, I have a strong feeling that Alex Song will be overlooked despite being the pillar on which all others are anchored!!!