ARSENAL defender Alex Song featured heavily for Cameroon in the Olympic men's football competition but his team crashed out at the hands of Brazil in the quarter-finals.

After being left out of the Lions' 1-1 draw with Korea in their opening game, Song then went on to play every minute of his country's other three games, helping them to keep clean sheets in their final two group games before Brazil ended the impressive 270-minute shut-out by scoring twice in extra time.

Song played a pivotal role as Cameroon shut down Honduras before keeping world champions' Italy's forward line quiet, and he did the same for the first 90 minutes against Brazil before Rafael Sobis and Marcelo ended the run.

Song was used predominantly as a centre-back by Arsene Wenger towards the end of last season, partnering William Gallas in defence and he excelled.

His return will be a timely boost for Wenger, who has endured something of an injury crisis at the back, with Kolo Toure and Philippe Senderos all missing the first game of the campaign against West Brom.