Alex Song, a former player for Arsenal and Barcelona, said he left the Gunners for La Liga because of the money and had no desire to play.

ALEX SONG has acknowledged that he was a “waster” while he was at Arsenal and that he only joined Barcelona to get money.

And the Cameroonian midfielder, who played for the Gunners for seven seasons, explained how he had to sell his flashy new automobile because he was spending all of his money on gas.

In 2012, Song moved to Barcelona from North London. Having been fired by Swiss club Sion in March for refusing to accept a wage reduction, he is currently a free agent.

After leaving Bastia, the 36-year-old made 215 appearances for Arsenal and scored 10 goals.

In an Instagram conversation with fellow countryman and Toronto Raptors basketball player Pascal Siakam, Song reminisced about his extravagant lifestyle.

“Most footballers live beyond their means,” the former Gunner stated. I spent eight years at Arsenal, but only in the last four did I start to make a good life there.

“That was a result of both my pay increasing significantly and my realization of what a waste I was.

“I was receiving £15,000 a week when I first started working there. When I was younger, I was ecstatic.

“I desired to mingle with the older boys. I could go shopping anywhere I pleased and spend wild evenings out.

“I would go to practice and see the King, Thierry Henry, arrive in the most exquisite vehicle. At all costs, I told myself, I wanted the identical automobile.

“I went to the showroom, completed the paperwork, and made plans to pay with a standing order. A moment later, I was driving The King’s car.

“However, I promise that I have to return the car within a fortnight. I was spending all of my money on petrol.

“I said to them, ‘I can’t handle this car; give me a Toyota.'”

“Thierry questioned me, ‘Where’s your car, son?’ when I went to training the next time. It’s on a higher level than me, I told him.

“People assumed I must be a millionaire, even though I couldn’t even save £100,000 during my whole tenure at Arsenal.

“I didn’t hesitate when Barcelona offered me a contract after I learned how much money I would make. I believed that after my profession ended, my wife and kids should lead comfortable lifestyles.

“When I met the sporting director of Barcelona, he informed me that I wouldn’t be playing in many games.

However, I didn’t care because I knew that I would suddenly become a millionaire.

“I’ll always argue that a 20-year-old who owns a Ferrari is a poor man since he hasn’t accomplished anything in his life yet.

“But a man of 50 who drives a Bentley is a man to be respected.”

The 49-time captained Song also played for the Russian team Rubin Kazan and spent time on loan at West Ham and Charlton. He most recently played for Arta/Solar7, a Djiboutian side.