Wenger: Song wanted Barca

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he was powerless to prevent Alex Song leaving the club this summer, after he ‘expressed the desire’ to go.

Song is set to complete a transfer to Barcelona on Monday after the clubs agreed a €19m fee and his manager has looked to explain the situation.

“[He is leaving] because we have [Jack] Wilshere coming back, I believe in one-and-a-half months,” he told Arsenal’s official website.

“We have [Abou] Diaby back, we have [Tomas] Rosicky not far away and we might bring another midfielder in as well. You have to be patient a little bit [over any new signings].

“It is frustrating [to see players at their peak leave], we have learnt to deal with that. I believe as well that the financial potential of some clubs is massive and that makes a difference.

“[Song] expressed a desire to go to Barcelona.”