Alex Song could leave Arsenal, says Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says Alex Song could leave the club, but hinted there could still be further additions.

Robin van Persie has joined Manchester United and midfielder Song, 24, has been linked with Barcelona.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin and when asked about the possibility of more signings, plus the departure of Song, Wenger said: "Both can happen."
Meanwhile, Thomas Vermaelen has been confirmed as Arsenal captain.
 Song is one of Wenger's longest-serving players, having joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old from French side Bastia in 2005.
He initially joined on a one-year loan deal, with a £2.75m fee agreed to make the move permanent.
Song went on to make over 200 appearances for Arsenal, including 34 in the Premier League last season. His current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2014.
With Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere both close to a return to full match fitness, Wenger is happy with the options available to him in midfield.

"Midfield is an area where we have much more freedom to make decisions," he added.

Should Song leave, he will be the second big name to leave Emirates Stadium following Van Persie's switch to Manchester United.
Van Persie scored 30 goals in the Premier League last season but Wenger has brought in strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski this summer.
The Arsenal boss accepts the sale of Van Persie could be a gamble, but is confident his side has the quality to compete at the top of the table.

"We have lost world-class players before and we have always survived," he said.

"We wanted to keep Robin van Persie. The reality is when the player doesn't want to stay, you have two ways - you either force him to stay, or you accept the reality and let him go. I've chosen the second solution.

"I know it's a massive challenge and a massive gamble I took, but I feel that we have the quality to deal with the problem we have." 

source: BBC

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