Arsene Wenger must bite the bullet and extend Bacary Sagna's contract

Bacary Sagna

As Bacary Sagna enters the final six months of his contract with Arsenal, it looks increasingly likely that he’ll leave the club, as an agreement over an extension is yet to be reached. He has been key for the Gunners this season as they top the league table, earning a Performance Score of 250 points, which makes him the club’s fourth-best player and the league’s fifth-best natural full-back. That said, can Arsene Wenger really afford to lose him?

In truth, it’s not as though Arsenal don’t want to keep Sagna, it’s that they are reluctant to offer him a huge deal due to his age (30). The club offered him a one-year extension with the same salary, said to be around £60,000-per-week, a while back, but the France international rejected it, as he reportedly wants a pay rise. With neither party apparently budging, an exit does seem very likely. Various reports are even suggesting that Wenger has already instructed his scouts to find him a replacement.

Those scouts will have their work cut out for them as Sagna, since signing from Auxerre in 2007, has grown into a fine right-back. He is a strong, reliable defender, good in the air, and a willing runner on the overlap with a good cross. He showed just how good a crosser he is in his side’s loss away to Manchester United. He attempted nine as the Red Devils sat deep and invited Arsenal’s relentless pressure. Though only three found a target, a couple others were good enough to need only a touch to draw the Gunners level.

Though usually reliable, as was mentioned, defensively he made his fair share of errors last season (4) as Arsenal struggled collectively to keep mistakes out of their game. The Gunners made the joint most errors in the league last season along with relegated Wigan Athletic (39), and the second most that led to goals (14). So far this season, the Gunners have made just three errors, all of which have gone unpunished. Sagna, meanwhile, hasn’t erred yet. He, like the rest of the players since Mesut Ozil signed, have been more focused, disciplined, and they sit atop the league table as a result.

Looking at the way he is playing at the moment, he seems intent on ending what could be his last season at the club on a high. A deal looks increasingly unlikely to be reached given the stance taken by the parties involved, but if in the end he stays on, then Arsenal should continue to benefit.