Wenger didn't want Song back at Arsenal

Alex Song wanted to return to Arsenal this summer... but Arsene Wenger refused to buy him or Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas

West Ham midfielder Alex Song has revealed that he had hoped to return to Arsenal when he left Barcelona last summer, but Arsene Wenger didn't want him.

Song, who has been excellent since moving back to England, chose instead to join West Ham, while Arsenal declined to buy another holding player.

The Cameroonian claims that the same is true of Cesc Fabregas, who also wanted to re-join the Gunners, but instead moved to Chelsea.

'I would have liked to come back, but they didn't want me,' Song, who faces his old club for the first time as a West Ham player on Sunday, told L'Equipe. 'That's life. I'm not mad at them. 

'Cesc also wanted to come back to Arsenal, who did not want activate their buy-back clause. It was surprising. When I see what he is doing at Chelsea. He is even better than before!'

The 27-year-old also revealed that he could have played Champions League football, but instead opted to play in England, turning down Roma and Napoli to be part of Sam Allardyce's plans.