Song could be on his way out of Arsenal, admits Wenger as Vermaelen replaces Van Persie as captain

By Sportsmail Reporter

Published: 04:38 EDT, 17 August 2012 | Updated: 07:47 EDT, 17 August 2012

 

Alex Song could follow Robin van Persie out of the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted.

Barcelona are closing in on a a deal to sign the Cameroon midfielder.

When asked if the 24-year-old could leave and others come in, Wenger said: 'Both can happen. This decision (on Song) is not made. No (bid has been made). I cannot tell you more.'

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In demand: Alex Song (left) in pre-season training

The Arsenal manager added: 'Midfield is a different area because we have nine or 10 midfielders of top-class quality.

'Just today we have six or seven midfielders available, plus (Jack) Wilshere and (Emmanuel) Frimpong who are coming back. (Abou) Diaby is available again, (Mikel) Arteta, (Santi) Cazorla, (Aaron) Ramsey, (Alex) Oxlade-Chamberlain now plays central midfield - this is an area we have much more freedom to make decisions.'

Wenger confirmed central defender Thomas Vermaelen would be the club's new captain following Van Persie's departure.

The Holland international is in the process of finalising the formalities of a £24million switch to Manchester United, having earlier in the summer announced he would not be signing a new deal with the Gunners.

On his way? Alex Song in action for Arsenal against Manchester City in Beijing last month

Van Persie is the latest of Wenger's key men to move on, following last summer's departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

However, the Arsenal manager is confident Belgian centre-back Vermaelen can lead the club forwards. Speaking at Friday's press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League opener against Sunderland, Wenger said: 'Vermaelen was vice-captain, so it is a quick decision. I think we have many potential captains, and Mikel Arteta will be the vice captain.'

Wenger believes the summer additions of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Spain midfielder Cazorla will go someway to offset Van Persie's departure.

All smiles: Robin van Persie arriving for his Manchester United medical

'We regret that we have lost a great player and for one simple reason - he only had one year left on his contract. He wanted to go,' Wenger added.

'We anticipated this situation might happen, therefore we bought Podolski and Giroud. I think we were prepared to keep him of course, but as well the worse (case scenario) was to sell him.

'Selling to a rival was not what we wanted, but there was not much choice. We had only one club really interested at the level we thought would be acceptable and that was Manchester United. At the end of the day, that was the only decision we could make.'

The London giants haven't won the title since 2004, and their last trophy was the FA Cup in 2005.

New captain: Thomas Vermaelen replaces Robin Van Persie

VIDEO: Wenger disappointed following Robin van Persie departure