Keeping Bacary Sagna may not be that bad

In a rare summer where it looks like only fringe players will be leaving Arsenal, what’s even more surprising is the fact that Bacary Sagna has, in a way, become one.

One of the most reliable Arsenal players over the years, the 30-year-old Frenchman has probably had his worst year at the club with many inconsistent and uncharacteristic performances, notably against Manchester United and Southampton.

Sagna has been so poor that cries for the improved and talented, yet inexperienced, Carl Jenkinson to start have been made as the former Auxerre man’s contract expires next summer.

With many Arsenal fans expectant of a Sagna departure for quite some time – although this would be different from the departures of Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas et al – it seems the Frenchman might stay after all, even if it’s for one more season.

“I never said I wanted to leave the club, but there are some journalists who want to speculate as I have just one year to go. The fact is that I am still at Arsenal and I am looking forward to playing next season. Arsenal made me grow as a player and as a man. People have been talking about me going back to France, but at the moment I am at Arsenal.” – Sagna.

With Sagna staying for another season, it’s a big boost for Wenger and the club regardless of his declining performances this past season. Let’s not forget that Sagna is one of the more experienced players in the team right now and his poor season could have just been a blip.

After all, he suffered two leg breaks in the same season in 2011-2012 and missed pre-season. As a result, he was bound to not play at the same standard Arsenal fans are accustomed to seeing. And as he grows older, it is natural that he can’t keep up the same level of performances.

Just look at Patrice Evra in 2011-2012 and Dani Alves this past season. The former was overplayed and his performances dipped, while a lack of stamina and morale saw Alves on the decline as Michael Cox of Zonal Marking said earlier this January – “Far from being deserving of a place in a world XI, Alves currently doesn’t deserve a place in the Barcelona XI.”

However, it was just a blip as Evra had a much better 2012-2013 season while Alves improved towards the end of this past season. The same can hopefully be said of Sagna, who has looked solid in pre-season for Arsenal.

“I’m very happy. Last year I missed pre-season so I was struggling a bit during the season. I’m looking forward to getting back to my best – that’s my aim and after that we’ll see.”

Aside from being more experienced than Jenkinson and offering the former Charlton player useful advice, Sagna can also provide an extra option at centre-back as he did against Sunderland earlier this year where he had a great performance. With captain Thomas Vermaelen out for three months, Johan Djourou out on loan and Sebastian Squillaci released, that just may be the plan until Arsenal are able to find a suitable defender.

Manager Arsene Wenger still has faith in Sagna as the Frenchman was never dropped when fit last season. And it is clear that Sagna still has a role to play for the Gunners even if this could be his last season.