Song urges Gunners to focus

Arsenal midfielder Alex Song believes the squad must maintain concentration as they ready themselves for a busy period that will define their season.

With the Gunners just four points behind English Premier League leaders Manchester United, Arsenal play Stoke in the league on Wednesday, before meeting Birmingham in the Carling Cup final on February 27 and Barcelona in the Champions League on March 8.

After orchestrating a remarkable comeback to beat Barcelona 2-1 in their round of 16 first-leg clash at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by League One side Leyton Orient on Sunday in the FA Cup – adding yet another fixture to an already cramped schedule.

Cameroon midfielder Song, 23, insists the side must cast their disappointment aside quickly to focus firmly on the coming month’s action.

“It is not very good to have another game because we are playing a lot, but we have drawn a game we wanted to win,” Song said.

“Now we need to be focused because we have one game coming soon, which we need to win for the Premier League, and then we have the Carling Cup final next week.”

“It is always very difficult when you play one big game and when you come back you play a team you are supposed to beat.”

“But we are still in the FA Cup and I am 100 percent sure we will win the replay at the Emirates.”

With a five-year drought in the Arsenal trophy room, the Carling Cup final against Birmingham is a significant game for Wenger’s men, but Song said overhauling Manchester United is priority number one.

“We have a very good team and always work very hard in training because this year is very important for us,” he said.

“We want to do very well because everyone has been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

“We are in a strong position because we are in four competitions and that is very good for us.”

“We need just to take game by game. The next step is Wednesday against Stoke which is very important.”