Song pens new deal

The 20-year-old originally joined Arsenal from Bastia in 2005 on a season-long loan deal, which was then made permanent a year later.

And, following an educational loan spell at Charlton during the 2006-07 season, the Cameroon international returned to the Emirates, where he since has made a good impression on boss Arsene Wenger.

Song, who has 15 caps for his country, made 15 appearances for Arsenal last season, including a run of five consecutive games playing at centre-half during the run-in to the end of the the Gunners ultimately disappointing campaign.

A statement on Arsenal's official website read: "Everyone at the club is delighted that Alex has signed a new contract and looks forward to him being part of the first-team squad in the forthcoming years."