Arsenal FC: Borussia Dortmund Game Highlights Highs and Lows of Alex Song

Arsenal has two positions in its formation that require no second thought as to who will first-choice. The striker position held by Robin Van Persie and the defensive midfield position held by Alexandre Song.

These two players have been immense for the Gunners' revival this season and any further success will hinge on their abilities to perform and stay on the field for the remainder of the season.

In some corners, there is still some fear that Song is too offensive-minded for his—and the team's—own good. I agree. The Borussia Dortmund game provided two great examples of how Song can help and hurt the team.

Until one of his other teammates produces some other piece of magic, Song's fantastic mazy run down the left—and cross for Van Persie's goal—will be a nice talking point for Gooners. Having a defensive midfielder that can create moments akin to former offensively-minded Arsenal greats is nice, there is no denying that.

However, despite the eventual win, Song almost undid his work with his mistake in the lead up to Dortmund's goal. If you saw the game—or highlights—you may have had the feeling that Song was still channeling his offensive half whilst trying to herd the ball to the line under pressure, with seemingly no real plan in mind.

That mistake was in they dying moments of the game but still, it is a glimpse of a fault in one of Arsenal's best players.

That kind of mistake is not something our defensive midfielder should be making. Song does not yet have the exquisite technical capabilities of his midfield partners, or the likes of Van Persie. There are times when he gets too caught up in the Arsenal style of play, sometimes to the detriment of the team.

Nevertheless, Song still had an immense game and deserved his man of the match status from both Goal.com and the Arsenal fans. His offensive contribution surely had a part to play there, which is fine. But I would like to see him get the same kind of praise for a thoroughly defensive-minded display.

I, for one, would like to see the Claude Makelele version of Alex Song. He can still contribute to the attack through set pieces and maybe even work on increasing his passing acumen. But he should leave the more creative work to the more creative folk.

Unfortunately, it may never get to that point. It is very possible that there would have been no Robin Van Persie header were it not for Alex Song's run. Add that to the fact that Song has scored some pretty important goals for the Gunners due to his forward-thinking mindset.

There is no denying his impact on that end of the field. However, if his playing style continues to bring a goal and/or an assist for Arsenal and in return the opposition gets a clear opportunity at a goal—whether from a Song turnover or him being too far up the field—it may be a problem.

Alex Song is still our best defensive midfielder and probably the best in the Premiership. If the success continues and we have to take the risks with the rewards and the highs with the lows, so be it.