I didn't think twice about leaving Arsenal – I knew I wouldn't play but I didn't care

Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song admitted he "didn't give a f***" about leaving to sit on Barcelona's bench if it meant securing his financial future.

Song, who turns 37 today (September 9), first joined the Gunners back in 2005 as a young 17-year-old on loan, with the move made permanent the following year. He went on to cement his place in Arsene Wenger's squad, racking up 205 appearances in all competitions.

His solid performances as a defensive midfielder made him a key player on the red side of north London. However, when Barcelona came calling in 2012 with a £15million bid, Song was well aware that he'd be far from the first name on the team sheet.

The ex-Cameroon international would join a team with an already legendary midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi, meaning his role would likely be limited to substitute appearances and cup games. But the allure of a significant wage increase from £55,000-a-week to £70k was too tempting to resist.

During an Instagram live chat with fellow countryman and NBA star Pascal Siakam in 2020, Song reflected on his decision to join the La Liga giants. "When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn't think twice," he admitted.

"I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over. I met Barca's sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games, but I didn't give a f*** I knew that now I would become a millionaire."

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It wasn't like Song had been on a comparably low wage with Arsenal. The first deal he signed with the club earned him £15k-a-week, a significant sum for a youngster.

But it was his extravagant spending habits in the capital which significantly affected his finances. He confessed to one extortionate outlay in particular.

It was splashing out on the same car as Gunners icon Thierry Henry was driving, only to sell it less than two months later due to its hefty fuel costs. Song continued: "Most footballers live beyond their means.

"I was at Arsenal for eight years but only began to earn a good living in the last four. That was because my salary went up a lot -- but also because I came to realise what a waster I was. During my entire time at Arsenal, I couldn't even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire."

Song would go on to spend just two seasons in Barcelona's squad before returning to England for successive loan spells with West Ham. He left permanently in 2016 to join Russian club Rubin Kazan, later having stints at Swiss side Sion and Djibouti's Arta Solar 7 before retiring in November 2023.