The future of Bacary Sagna is still unclear at Arsenal as his contract runs out in the summer, but regardless of whether he signs a new deal by then is irrelevant. Carl Jenkinson is not a good enough replacement for the France international in my eyes, and I am glad to read the reports that the north London side are after Atletico Madrid’s Javier Manquillo.
The 19-year-old has impressed me every time I have seen him play this season with his composed style of play and the way he carries the ball out of the back with such confidence.
He’s quite a tall player for a full-back but with that brings strength, and that’s certainly something that the teen has a lot of.
Manquillo has played one La Liga game this season and in it he made eight defensive actions – seven clearances and one block – and won 62% of his individual duels. He won 3/5 of his tackles, all five of his headers and completed 66% of his passes, which, although isn’t great, is still decent considering.
He is an athletic player who loves to get up the pitch and for that reason could be the perfect signing for the Gunners.
It’s a big yes from me.