Wenger considering playing Alex Song as an emergency centre-back for Arsenal's Champions League clash with AC Milan

Gunners boss set to stick with Thomas Vermaelen at left-back despite the availability of fit-again Kieran Gibbs, who is expected to be on the bench

15 Feb 2012 10:54:00

More On :  AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Kieran Gibbs, Thomas Vermaelen, Alexandre Song
EPL, Alex Song, Arsenal
Getty Images
EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent

Arsene Wenger is considering playing Alex Song as an emergency centre-back in Arsenal’s Champions League clash with AC Milan on Wednesday night, Goal.com can reveal.

Kieran Gibbs is in the 18-man squad for the round of 16 first-leg match after recovering from a series of injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for four months but it is believed that Wenger is reluctant to rush the England international back into action for such a crucial fixture.

Don't Miss

Goal.com understands that Thomas Vermaelen will continue at left-back, where he has filled in for two months, and Wenger will replace the injured Per Mertesacker with either Song or Johan Djourou.

The Arsenal manager will make a late decision after weighing up his options on Wednesday but he is expected to go for Song alongside Laurent Koscielny at San Siro, despite Djourou’s greater experience in central defence.

The Cameroon international has played principally in the midfield anchorman role since establishing himself as a first-team regular, although he has occasionally moved back into defence in emergencies.

Goal.com revealed ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League group match against Olympiakos last September that Song would fill in at centre-back.

If Song steps out of the engine room, Thomas Rosicky is expected to join Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey in central midfield, with Andrey Arshavin and Theo Walcott either side of captain and dangerman Robin van Persie.

Left-back has been one of the problem positions for Arsenal this season, with Gibbs, who has not played since the 2-1 win over Sunderland on October 16, and Andre Santos both out for lengthy periods.

Although Wenger said in his pre-match media briefing on Tuesday that Gibbs is “physically and mentally ready” and he would “find the most natural solution” to the reshuffle necessitated by Mertesacker’s absence, it is believed that the 22-year-old has been pencilled in for a return to the starting line-up against Sunderland in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook
 
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line

    England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012

  2. In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012 In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012

    The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament

  3. The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution

    The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market

  4. Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job

    The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday

  5. Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms

    The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield