Arsenal Transfer News: Keeping Alex Song Key to Gunners' Season

Arsenal's disappointing third-place finish in last year's English Premier League has the team making significant personnel moves that will affect the 2012-2013 team significantly.

The Gunners have already sent Robin van Persie to Manchester United for £73 million, and it appears that they are in talks with Barcelona about completing a deal that would send Alex Song to the Spanish squad.

With 15 days remaining before the August 31st transfer deadline, Goal.com's Wayne Versey reports that the two sides are getting pretty close to completing a deal.

A club is always looking to improve, whether that be through acquiring players or through selling them, but would getting rid of Song really be in the best interest of Arsenal?

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder was crucial to Arsenal's success last year, tallying one goal and 11 assists. Clearly more of a passer than scorer, the opportunities that he creates for others out of the middle would be greatly missed this season.

His physical style of play is another important aspect to his game. Your team having a reputation of "soft" is always frowned upon, and Song helped Arsenal avoid that last year. Obviously nobody wants one of their best players to get carded a lot, but Song's 10 yellow cards meant that they had some level of toughness.

On pace with his toughness is his personality.

Just take a look at Song's Twitter to see what kind of person he is. He is always talking about soccer and consistently responding to fans in a kind and happy way. Happy and fun are two traits that are invaluable to a locker room, and while you can't measure them by wins and losses, they certainly contribute toward them in the end.

There are some solid replacements for Song if he does end up changing clubs. Yann M'Vila would be a good fit, but there might not be too much time to get him after Tottenham Hotspur put in their bid for him. Another good option would be Etienne Capoue. He is young, very talented and has ideal size at the position. But guess what? Tottenham looks to be after him as well.

There is still quite a bit of time left before a deal has to be made, and it feels like there is new information on Song's potential transfer every hour.

Just four days ago, Song tweeted, "As it stands, I am a gunner, will always be." The money might be tempting, but if he is happy at Arsenal, then the team should keep him there. It's in their best interest.