The seasons impression: right back but probably not bac(k)

By Walter Broeckx

After having looked at Szczesny in goal we now move on to the right back position. A position that seems vacant for the moment. But this article is about the past but I will probably come back to the future later. If you are still with me in the present.

I think it is fair to say that Bacary Sagna was one of the stand out performers this season. Only a short time ago the ones that throw every player out after every mistake they make they were screaming for the head of Sagna. That was in the period when he came back from a second broken leg.  So at the end of last season people were saying that Sagna was past it and that we should get rid of him. I think his mistake in the Manchester United match played a big part in that.

But look at how Bacary responded to this. By playing an almost faultless season. He was strong the whole season and started in 34 matches in the PL.

What I noticed was a big energy level from Sagna. I think he felt fresh after having lost 1,5 season with his broken legs and recovering from it.  And it was visible. This was the Sagna that came to Arsenal all those years ago. Running up and down the flank and doing his defensive job when it was needed.

He was played also as a central defender at times and I think he also was rather good at it. So we had a player that could step in there when needed.  In total he played in 48 matches this season. And that is one of the highest numbers in his Arsenal career that started in 2007. And still looking as strong in the last match as in the first match.

What I do think was that he was very determined to end his contract on a high. And that could be seen in the way he played. He wanted to win something and the fact that he could do it meant a lot to him. You could see him falling on the floor at the end of the FA cup match in total delight and exhausted. Saying a prayer and his body language was that of saying: yes, finally we did it.

So I feel glad for him that he finally got that trophy at Arsenal. That it will probably have been his last match for Arsenal is something that makes me a bit sad. But when a contract ends and a player doesn’t not sign a new contract he can go where he wants. That is the rule and so Sagna will be free to go where he wants.

Of course it will hurt if he goes to the oilers. But Sagna is a professional football player who can still look forward to making a win for life moment in getting loads of money at City. People who work change from one company to another from time to time. And so do professional football players. So I cannot but say I would regret it but I can understand him. If someone would offer me double my salary now that I am entering the last 10-13 years of my professional career I probably would listen to it with a lot of attention. I think we all would.

In football terms Sagna is on the wrong side of the time scale so he knows the end is nearing. Maybe 1 good season or 2 at the best at the top and then it will go downhill.

The negative things that are sometimes said about Sagna is that he is a poor crosser. And I think there might be a bit more to it than ‘being a poor crosser’. The thing is that Arsenal do not play the cross it and head it in by a big centre forward’. Apart from Giroud we don’t really have such a big centre forward like Carroll or others in the good old days.

So I sometimes wonder that the poor crossing thing from Sagna is also not down to the fact that we don’t really have the type of players to be at the end of such a cross.  Is it the fault of Sagna that there is nobody there to put the ball in the net when he delivers a cross? It might also be down to the movement (or non movement) of the strikers that should be in the box.

I sure will miss Sagna. But this will open the door for a new player. It will mean that Jenkinson might have more playing time in the next season. And I think Jenkinson has improved a lot over the past two seasons. Still work in progress as I think he will need one more season to really make it…or not.  I think that if Wenger goes for the much named Serge Aurier it will be the confirmation that Jenkinson will remain a loyal second choice right back.

The problem for Jenkinson is that I think he still is too much a Gooner to become a great Gunner. I think he still feel the nerves supporters have before a match. And that is something he should get rid off. And I think he could do that if he would get a longer run of matches. Because when he did get a few matches I felt he improved a lot.

But what will happen at right back will be decided by the manager. Will he bring in someone new? Will he go in to the season with Jenkinson and Bellerin as right backs? Which might be a risk I think. But Wenger will know best on what to do and how to do it. But one things looks sure now for the moment: Bac will not be back next season.  Sorry that it had to end this season but that is life.