With reports coming in that Arsenal could lose Bacary Sagna on a free come the end of the season, which seems incredible in itself, here are three reasons that the Gunners should do what they can to keep him at the Emirates.
1) Number 1
Arsene Wenger has no one else who comes close to Sagna in the right-back berth. Carl Jenkinson is a fine talent, but Sagna has been plying his trade witht he Gunners for years now and knows the club inside out.
He also knows how the manager wants him to play – when to push forward, when to drop and when to release the ball.
Until the club are able to sign a new, top quality right-back, then Sagna needs to stay.
2) Cover
As we have seen for much of this season, the France international can cover in the central areas. While Laurent Koscielny was unavailable, Sagna partnered Per Mertesacker in the heart of the defence and looked pretty solid in doing so.
The London side are short on numbers at the back as it is, the last thing they need is to lose one on a free.
3) Influential
Not only has the full-back completed 89% of his passes this term, but he has also won 63% of his duels and averaged six defensive actions per game. Take him out of the team and you’re losing an important figure.