A typical Arsene Wenger signing in that he joined Arsenal from Bastia for a fee of £1 million as an unknown teenager, it took Song a number of seasons to prove why the Frenchman had opted to bring him to the Premier League. However, scepticism has now firmly given way to appreciation of his crucial role in the Arsenal team.

Song was born in Douala, Cameroon, but moved to Paris and subsequently joined Bastia at the age of 13. Within three years he had made his French league debut and just 12 months later, in 2005, Wenger came calling when signing the youngster on loan. After making nine appearances in the 2005-06 season, Song earned a permanent move to North London.

His early performances in the Arsenal shirt were far from convincing and it took a loan spell with Charlton in the 2006-07 season to begin to bring the best out of Song. He impressed in a midfield role for Alan Pardew, but Wenger was still certain his best position would prove to be at the heart of the defence.

That viewpoint may have been altered by Song's memorable campaign at the heart of the Cameroon midfield at the 2008 African Nations Cup as he excelled in a holding role. For his club, he noticeably developed throughout the 2008-09 season as he began to patrol the area in front of the back four to good effect.

But it was the 2009-10 campaign that witnessed the most vivid expression of Song's talents as, sitting behind Abou Diaby and Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal midfield, he enjoyed a fine season, even if club honours were to elude him once more. Though he can still step into defence when required, Song appears well-equipped to stake his claim to be one of the best holding midfielders in England - quite a turnaround for a player who often looked lost in his early days in the Premier League. Strengths: Song is a bullish presence in the centre of midfield, breaking up opposition attacks with an array of thumping challenges. But he is also very accomplished on the ball, retains possession well and has endless energy.

Weaknesses: Song has a habit of venturing out of position which can be exposed if Arsenal are caught on the counter-attack. He also offers little goal threat and could anticipate danger more effectively.

Career high: Being named in the team of the tournament for the 2008 African Nations' Cup. Song was a revelation in midfield.

Career low: In November 2006, Song was handed the chance to impress in a game against Fulham but was substituted at half-time with the Gunners losing 2-1. It was a shambolic performance and he played only one game in the following two months.

Style: Formidable, enthusiastic, composed, a midfield enforcer.

Quotes: "I feel I've improved a lot this season. But I don't want to settle for that now that I'm a regular in the team. I know I can do far more, so it's my job to keep improving." Alex Song, speaking during the 2009-10 season.

Trivia: Song's father died when he was just three years old and his uncle Rigboert, an icon of the Cameroon national side, helped nurture him into a professional footballer.