Scouting Potential Replacements for Bacary Sagna at Arsenal
With the January transfer window fast approaching in the world of football, many clubs will be hastily making plans for their recruitment in the window next month.
Some clubs, however, are facing battles further down the line to try and keep their existing players on board. Arsenal fall firmly into that category, as the battle to keep Bacary Sagna is still ongoing.
Sagna is stalling over a new deal at the Emirates, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
With that in mind, if he is to leave North London for pastures new, who could potentially step into his shoes next campaign?
Let's take a look at some of the potential replacements for the Frenchman should the worst happen.
Carl Jenkinson
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Of course, you have to start with a player who has long been coveted as the long-term replacement for Bacary Sagna.
The only problem is that the form of Carl Jenkinson has dipped dramatically since the beginning of last season. Back then, Jenkinson was in the team on merit and actually playing some fantastic stuff.
However, he has struggled seriously for form since, and it would be a big gamble should Arsene Wenger choose to not replace Sagna and invest his faith in the England international.
Again, it would be a serious risk for Arsenal. However, it could be a move that may rejuvenate the career of Jenkinson after it appears to have stalled somewhat.
Roberto Rosales
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Any keen followers of South American football may well have seen Venezuela's Roberto Rosales in action for the national side on several occasions.
He is a right-back that can pass the ball and get forward remarkably well, but he has also played his part in a mean defence at club level, too.
With Twente in Holland, Rosales has been part of a back four that have conceded just 17 goals in as many games.
Like so many players who have emerged through the Dutch league, Rosales is ready for the step up to the big level, and Arsenal could well be the move that launches his career one step further.
Lukasz Piszczek
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If Arsenal are prepared to go out and spend cash in order to find a suitable replacement for Sagna, then a trip to Germany should be on Arsene Wenger's radar.
He has only just returned from a lengthy layoff, but Borussia Dortmund's Lukasz Piszczek is a full-back with serious credentials.
With plenty of caps at the international level with Poland, Piszczek provides the kind of experience that would need to be replaced should a player like Sagna leave the club.
The main problem would be luring him out of Jurgen Klopp's grasp, though. He is still very much a part of the Dortmund squad moving forward, but if Arsenal are willing to spend, they could do a lot worse than Piszczek.
Sime Vrsaljko
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He's one of the hottest young prospects in Europe, and Sime Vrsaljko is now attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in the game—Arsenal included, via John Cross of Mirror Football.
The Genoa superstar is still only 21, meaning he has age very much on his side. Despite his tender years though, he has drawn praise for some remarkable performances in Serie A already this campaign.
Perhaps however, Wenger may be tempted to shop for a right-back with a good deal more experience if Sagna is to leave the club. Arsenal already have one young right-back in Carl Jenkinson—although the hype around Vrsaljko may well be too much to ignore for Arsenal.
Nathaniel Clyne
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He's one of just several Southampton youngsters that have impressed this season, and Nathaniel Clyne could well be on the radar of some top clubs in the future.
Since arriving from Crystal Palace, Clyne has gone on to become one of the most consistently impressive full-backs in the entire Premier League. With his raw pace and superb passing, the Englishman would certainly be a good fit for Arsenal should Wenger show interest.
Whether Southampton would be willing to part with one of their brightest stars remains to be seen, though.
It would no doubt take a fee of some significance to lure him away from Southampton, but Arsenal would get a right-back with his best years still very much ahead of him.
