Bacary Sagna
Here, we have a
conundrum. We have a world class right back, who was somewhat written off by
sections of the fans, myself included, in a year where he managed to break the
same leg twice.
What a fantastic character he has proven to be, coming back from such injuries towards the latter stages of his career to fully impose himself in a team challenging for the title. Bacary Sagna has shown his true importance to the team this season, regularly getting up and down that right touchline, supporting the attack without leaving his defensive colleagues too exposed.
Perhaps the biggest improvement to his game has been a significant increase in the quality of his crossing, and he has popped up at times to add to our goal tally. Everyone is currently holding their breath as we wait to find out what will happen in this contract saga.
Despite our high opinion for the man, I do not believe he should be paid £100K a week, as some reports have suggested he is requesting. While being a vital cog in our team, I do not believe he deserves such a pay rise. This being said, the allure of moving back to his home country to play for cash rich clubs such as PSG or Monaco, who will pay him that salary and more make it a very difficult situation for AFC.
If we do not pay him that money there will be no shortage of suitors who will. Shall we break our wage structure to accommodate a player whose many years of experience make him a valuable asset, or shall we look to replace him now and build for the future? I would suggest building for the future, as £100k is simply too much in my eyes.
Ideally, we would tie him down to a 3 year contract, hoping he plays 1 more season as our first choice right back, and then perhaps move him into a CB role as cover for our first choice while he passes on his wisdom to the man that takes his place.
What a fantastic character he has proven to be, coming back from such injuries towards the latter stages of his career to fully impose himself in a team challenging for the title. Bacary Sagna has shown his true importance to the team this season, regularly getting up and down that right touchline, supporting the attack without leaving his defensive colleagues too exposed.
Perhaps the biggest improvement to his game has been a significant increase in the quality of his crossing, and he has popped up at times to add to our goal tally. Everyone is currently holding their breath as we wait to find out what will happen in this contract saga.
Despite our high opinion for the man, I do not believe he should be paid £100K a week, as some reports have suggested he is requesting. While being a vital cog in our team, I do not believe he deserves such a pay rise. This being said, the allure of moving back to his home country to play for cash rich clubs such as PSG or Monaco, who will pay him that salary and more make it a very difficult situation for AFC.
If we do not pay him that money there will be no shortage of suitors who will. Shall we break our wage structure to accommodate a player whose many years of experience make him a valuable asset, or shall we look to replace him now and build for the future? I would suggest building for the future, as £100k is simply too much in my eyes.
Ideally, we would tie him down to a 3 year contract, hoping he plays 1 more season as our first choice right back, and then perhaps move him into a CB role as cover for our first choice while he passes on his wisdom to the man that takes his place.
Rating 8/10
Per Mertesacker
The BFG. There was a time when the hefty German's mobility was a real cause for concern. There have been moments in matches, when Wenger decides to play a high line (think against Spurs last season and against Liverpool a few weeks ago), where Per has been exposed.
Overall there is no denying his importance to the Arsenal team this season. He has been a stalwart at the back with his partner Koscielny. A partnership where when both had completed 90 minutes had not been beaten until last month. This partnership has been lauded as the best in the league by highly esteemed pundits. He has brought leadership and physicality to the pitch in an area lacking such attributes since the days of The Invincibles.
His reach and timing of tackles are two of his best attributes, and it would be fair to say he is one of the best in the league at being in the right place at the right time. In his early days his pace or lack thereof proved to be a major stumbling block, however, with time and a speedy French guy next to him, he has managed to change his game such that his lack of pace does not affect his game. As a childhood Arsenal supporter, every time he plays you can see he puts everything into the game.
His true character came out against Man City, where at the end of the match Ozil declined to acknowledge the support of the fans. Ozil was given a dressing down by Mertesacker he is unlikely to forget in this lifetime.
Overall there is no denying his importance to the Arsenal team this season. He has been a stalwart at the back with his partner Koscielny. A partnership where when both had completed 90 minutes had not been beaten until last month. This partnership has been lauded as the best in the league by highly esteemed pundits. He has brought leadership and physicality to the pitch in an area lacking such attributes since the days of The Invincibles.
His reach and timing of tackles are two of his best attributes, and it would be fair to say he is one of the best in the league at being in the right place at the right time. In his early days his pace or lack thereof proved to be a major stumbling block, however, with time and a speedy French guy next to him, he has managed to change his game such that his lack of pace does not affect his game. As a childhood Arsenal supporter, every time he plays you can see he puts everything into the game.
His true character came out against Man City, where at the end of the match Ozil declined to acknowledge the support of the fans. Ozil was given a dressing down by Mertesacker he is unlikely to forget in this lifetime.
Rating 8/10
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