After Cesc Fabregas had left Arsenal for Barcelona at the start of the previous season, it was thought that the Catalan giants had concluded their interest in the Gunners squad.
They had already captured Arsenal's most prized asset, so there was little reason to believe that they were targeting anyone else, until reports emerged that they were on the brink of securing a deal for the Spaniard's midfield partner, Alex Song.
The Cameroon international had enjoyed a successful time at the Emirates Stadium, but not one that would usually attract the best team in world football, and the place that he would take in Barcelona's squad was open to debate.
Nevertheless, once a £15m fee was agreed between the clubs, Song was unlikely to turn down an opportunity to move to Camp Nou, and he was promptly left out of Arsenal's opening Premier League clash with Sunderland.
Song was formally presented to the media three days later, with the then 24-year-old signing a five-year deal with his new side.
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The former Bastia man was leaving the North London outfit with a huge void to fill, after becoming a mainstay of the team over the previous two seasons.
For all of their attractive football, Arsenal have long needed an enforcer, and while Arsene Wenger was losing several other members of his squad, the presence of Song ensured that defensive midfield had not become a problem position for the Gunners.
He had made 88 appearances in all competitions over 24 months, including 65 matches in the Premier League, but upon his departure, Wenger surprisingly insisted that he was happy with his midfield options.
He had been expected to sign Borussia Dortmund player Nuri Sahin on a season-long loan, but he opted to join Liverpool instead. However, the Song deal was too far down the line and the Douala-born man was off.
Barcelona's midfield included the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano and Thiago Alcantara, so while the move would prove a lucrative one, many were hard-pressed to imagine Song earning many minutes for his new club
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Song made his debut for Barcelona after coming off the bench in their Supercopa de Espana final clash with Real Madrid, playing in the last 15 minutes of their 2-1 victory.
He followed that appearance up with three La Liga starts in September, but he would have to wait until the end of October before he began a fixture in the Champions League.
Injury disrupted Song's season at the turn of the year, but from March onwards, the former Gunner became a regular feature for Barcelona, making 10 starts and two substitute appearances through till the end of the season
After Tito Vilanova left his position at Camp Nou, it remains to be seen what part Song will play under new coach Gerardo Martino.
But despite being an unused substitute during Barcelona's 7-0 win over Levante at the weekend, it appears as though Song can expect to be given the opportunity to flourish during his second campaign at the La Liga champions.
Darren Plant
