Alex Song salutes Arsenal's stoppage-time strikes
Returning midfielder praises last-gasp Gunners for their ‘footballing principles’
Published: 18 March 2010
by STEVE BARNETT
ALEX Song believes the secret behind Arsenal’s glut of late goals is that they stick to their footballing principles.
Nicklas Bendtner’s last-gasp winner at Hull on Saturday was the team’s sixth strike in the 90th minute or later in their last five games.
Song, who missed the match through suspension, still celebrated the goal “like crazy” as the Gunners netted three vital points to stay in contention with Manchester United and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.
“The manager trusts us to do the job,” Song revealed in Arsenal TV Online’s Spotlight interview. “If the referee says we have four or two minutes left then the boss says ‘don’t panic, be confident and play’. That means if the opposition team drop we have the chance to score.
“If the game is not finished we know we can score at anytime.”
Song had to watch the Hull encounter at home after picking up 10 bookings and receiving a two-game ban.
The Cameroon international explained how he celebrated Bendtner’s winner just like a true Arsenal fan.
“I was like a crazy man. I jumped everywhere. I was watching it with my son and he did not know what was happening. But when Nicklas scored I just said ‘yeeeeeessssssss’.
“It is very difficult to watch your friends when you don’t play, but I had confidence in my team. We have the players to come in and do well.
“And now we are in a strong position and we will fight in the games that are left.”
Song returns to the first team this Saturday against West Ham, along with Cesc Fabregas who has been out with a hamstring injury.