Alex Song: Why Arsenal FC Won't Really Miss Barcelona-Bound Midfielder

Arsenal.com's official confirmation that the club has agreed terms to sell Alex Song to Barcelona, shouldn't be treated as dire news for the Gunners. The fact is, Arsenal won't really miss him that much once he completes the deal, which the Daily Mirror suggests is worth £15 million.

As much as Song has improved during the last four seasons, maddening inconsistencies and reckless tendencies are still present in his game. These bad habits have cost Arsenal at crucial times.

The offences range from a tackling technique that remains raw and labouring to the ill-timed forays forward that have left Arsenal's defense exposed.

Song has always been something of an enigma when it comes to identifying his best position. As a result, the Cameroon star's development had reached a no man's land at Arsenal.

Song had fallen into the trap of being solid at a number of things, but outstanding at none. This meant he was neither the defensive anchor Arsenal's midfield needs, nor a consistent enough attacking outlet.

He has never possessed the drive or the energy to be a classic, box-to-box type, either. Song had become a utility man whose performances were of the hit-and-miss variety.

His difference-making games were often sandwiched between some calamitous displays. However, inconsistent or not, there's no denying that when on form, Song could make an impact for Arsenal at both ends of the pitch. That's what the Gunners must replace him, and Arsene Wenger has the weapons to do it.

Specifically, Wenger can count on Spanish duo Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla. Arsenal's 0-0 home draw against Sunderland was largely a drab showing from a team struggling to forge a new identity. However, the performances of Arteta and Cazorla provided reason for optimism and showed why Song won't be missed.

Wenger wisely trusted Arteta with the deepest role in midfield, the ostensible defensive position. The cerebral veteran provided excellent cover, thanks to intelligence and discipline.

Arteta remained deep and was smart enough to stay in tune with the play. This meant he frequently anticipated and intercepted opposition passes, or was on hand to sweep up any loose balls.

While he'll never offer the brute force Song possessed in defensive areas, Arteta is unlikely to make the same mistakes. Song would frequently find himself out of position and slow to react due to failing to anticipate the flow of play. He could also be caught in possession, thanks to the overconfidence that his natural technique and physicality would get him out of any trouble.

Further up the pitch, Cazorla demonstrated enough quality in his Premier league debut to suggest he can improve the creative output Song offered. He certainly has the eye for the incisive passes that define Arsenal's style.

While Song's chipped assists and daring ideas were key last season, that shouldn't suggest he was the only Arsenal player who can produce that flair. Remember, this a squad built via a recruitment policy, which, if anything, has over-emphasized, technically-refined, creatively-minded midfielders.

As one of the few remaining examples of Wenger's youth policy brought to fruition, Song's sale has symbolic significance. However, Wenger does have a new crop of potential young stars swelling the midfield ranks.

Certainly, hopes are justifiably high for the career prospects of Francis Coquelin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. Although, it's also true that the numbers game doesn't completely negate any concerns regarding Song's exit.

The durability issues surrounding Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Frimpong, Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky mean Wenger only appears to have a wealth of midfield options. A new recruit would assuage these worries, as Arsenal could still use an infusion of class in the ranks, even if Song had stayed.

A loan deal for Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin has been continually mooted, according to Sky Sports. That's the kind of acquisition that would restore confidence in Arsenal, post-Song.

So while Alex Song certainly had his moments during his time with the Gunners, no crown jewel has been plucked from Arsene Wenger's hands, either. Ultimately, Song became a jack of all trades, yet a true master of none, and that's just what Barcelona are getting for their £15 million.