Reasons why Arsenal must agree new Barcary Sagna deal

Bacary Sagna’s contract at Arsenal expires at the end of the season, and the Gunners are yet to have offered the French defender the two-year extension he desires. Should they? Or should the club move on and replace him in the summer.

Despite breaking his leg twice in the last few years, Sagna has the reputation of being one of Arsenal’s most dependable players. A slight drop in performances last season has since been forgotten as he has once again illustrated his quality and worth this term.

Both Carl Jenkinson and Sagna have played six games this season. Jenkinson has managed seven tackles compared to Sagna’s two, but the Frenchman is a lot stronger in the air, winning 19 headers with a 68% success, compared to Jenkinson who has just a 55% success rate and has only completed six. Jenkinson’s energy and Sagna’s ageing legs mean that Jenkinson has managed 5 take ons with a 42% success rate, whilst Sagna has only been successful with one take on, with a success rate of 33%.

All other statistics are fairly similar, with the French defender slightly ahead in most areas, like interceptions and clearances.

Sagna doesn’t seem to have the legs in him to put in an energetic shift on the right anymore. A central role in defence, which he has excelled in when called upon, may be more suited to his game on a on a more permanent basis.

But Sagna doesn’t just add statistics. Experience in the side has proved vital during Arsenal’s impressive run since March. With Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker and more recently Mathieu Flamini adding valuable knowledge and leadership on the field, helping the team be more professional and most importantly digging in when needed to see out important results. Losing someone of Sagna’s ilk would be a big blow to the club, and certainly be hard to replace. Since joining in 2007 the right-back has made almost 200 appearances for the Gunners, with 37 international caps to his name. More recently he has shown his versatility, with several good performances from the centre of the defence.

Arsenal should renew his contract. Carl Jenkinson is not ready yet to succeed him and Sagna’s ability to play at centre-back as he gets older could prove vital in big games, rather than having to rely on a more youthful or new option. It’s not too late for Sagna to extend his deal. Arsenal fans will remember just last year when Theo Walcott didn’t sign a new deal until January, when his contract expired just six months later. A similar situation could arise this coming January, with foreign clubs then allowed to negotiate contracts for the player.

Arsenal and Arsene Wenger should not take for granted what they have in Sagna, bite the bullet and give the player what he wants and deserves. Paris Saint-German are very interested and will be closely monitoring the situation, ready to offer the player a deal in January.