Who will replace Sagna for Arsenal?
Do we need to buy a right back? By SV
Following the news that Bacary Sagna will be out until the end of August (at least), there has been much confusion surrounding that right back slot. The natural fill-in for Bac is, obviously, Carl Jenkinson, but his recent performances (especially the one against City) have raised many question about his ability to cover effectively. Our other options are Francis Coquelin and Nico Yennaris, and some people think that we need to bring in another defender altogether. This article will look at all of these possibilities.
We’ll start off with Jenkinson, shall we? Jenkinson has, in my opinion, shown that he has the ability to cut it for us in the long term. He’s athletic, good technically and (best of all) a born and raised Arsenal fan. However, he is not yet the finished article and can be naïve with his positioning, and I have seen him dive into tackles on occasion. These are problems that often occur with inexperienced defenders and can be resolved with work on the training ground and more game time. But that won’t help much in the immediate future, and so I would be quite concerned to see him start on August 18th.
Our other two back-ups in that position are both midfielders by trade, but have played at right-back for us over the 11/12 campaign. Nico Yennaris had a very successful League debut against United and managed to do what Djourou couldn’t: keep Nani in check. The fact that Wenger subbed off an established first team player – against United, mark you – in favour of an unproven youngster, indicates that Yennaris clearly has something in him. However, that debut was his only League game for the rest of the season and so we can’t really know for sure how he will perform on a regular basis. So that’s him out, for me.
We come now to a man who I think is the answer: Francis Coquelin. I reckon this lad has a big future ahead of him. Despite being a defensive midfielder, he served with distinction in both full-back positions over the course of the campaign. His successful adaptation showed that he has a good ‘footballing brain’ and his defensive abilities are, I think, very sound. Some people are unconvinced with him, as he has slipped on occasion, but I maintain that these small slips are nothing compared with the solidity of his overall performances.
I would finally mention the last option, which is to buy a new defender. I admit that there is an argument to be made for this, as our defence was shaky at times last season. But I just do not think that a transfer can be justified. We have three top-drawer centre-backs (despite what the media says), have two decent left-backs and have the league’s most consistent right back. Yes, another signing would have been useful last season but last season’s scenario was extremely improbable. In football, you cannot prepare for every eventuality. The fact is that if we dish out for a top class player now, he will, more likely than not, spend the vast majority of his time warming the bench.
In conclusion, my preferred choice for that right-back position would be Coquelin, due to his sterling performances last season and his strong defensive abilities. I am, however, willing to be challenged on this.
Till tomorrow.
If you liked this article, you can follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SVGunner
Yennaris is more reliable than Jenkinson
Jenkison loves attacking and never think about defense.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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i agree completely. A younger fullback would hinder progress for the likes of bellerin & i think coquelin will do a sterling deputising job. The friendly against cologne will most likely be our xray as fans to have a peak of what wenger has in mind. Lets hope we have new signings by then…
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I agree but I think jenko will prove us all wrong
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Like for coquilen disike for new transfer
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I am sure Jenkinson will get the nod as a recognised right back and he showed enough last season to justify that but personally i would go for Coqelin as he looked very decent indeed when he come on for Jenkinson after his injury. PLease Please no Djourou there no….absolutely languid and unresponsive might as well have a crash test dummy at right back
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Loan out jen…&buy sakho!! But still missing eboue..COYG
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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IT MUST BE COQUELIN
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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LE COQ ALL THE WAAAAAY
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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I reckon there’s space for the three. Too many games, injuries and suspensions ahead.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Coquelin over jenkinson any day of the week..
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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We need to remember that coquelin is a mid fielder and playing him at RB is not a long term solution unless we want to prevent him from turning into world class!
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Last season jenkinson started in the first team and he looked very good
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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I think coqulin will do the job for us..its only a matter of month till sagna is back so no need to panic guys.
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Like coq dislike jenk
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Jenkinson is a good prospect, but for the future. We have Sagna, who by the way is the best RB in the league. Now i believe that if we buy a proper RB it would be unfair to Jenkinson but then i guess the best option would be to send Jenkinson on loan for an year to a team in the PL and then buy a defender like Sakho or Mbiwa to replace Squillaci. Both these players are good across all positions of the back line and can provide a good back up for any spot thats vacant for a while and a proper back up for the CB position.
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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i think coq will do for us
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Loan out Jenkinson
Sell Squillaci and Djourou
Buy Sakho/Mbiwa & Debuchy
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Any 1 of em will b good enough no more defensive buys we stacked they’re and Jenko needs just a year or 2 b4 being close 2 class
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Sakho !!!!!!!!!!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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We need new defender.Both jan&coq can’t be totally fit for the EPL challenge.
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Coq could do a job id be more worried bout left back
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I think we need a centre back rather than a full back, kosc and verm are excellent, but in terms of depth we only have mertesacker really, and although many people surprisingly are saying he’s world class now, 5 months ago they were calling for his head at arsenal. Miquel isn’t ready just yet and neither is bartley, possibly though for league cup games. Djourou and squillaci are just awful and I would like to see them go to make way for a possible new cb. Sakho although perfect will probably not leave psg and I haven’t heard arsenal being linked with any other cb but him and that loser that went to spuds.
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Jenkinson for me.
That was pre season. He will hopefully improve, particularly as now we have a former defender as asst manager.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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guys lets nots worry about this Wenger should put BOSSciency to the right and leave the BIG 4 and Vermaluen at the centre then gibbs to the left but this not safe , or Vemanator Left BIG 4 and Kosciency at centre then buy Mathieu Debuchy the france vice right right back or buy a proper lwft back and go for the first option , the other yu menion its fine for league and FA cup not reamier League and Champions League
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Carzola is on his way to emirates for medical…
Gunner4Life!!!
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Coquelin and Jenkinson.
Word is that Santi is also due to fly to London this week for Medical with person terms already being agreed to.
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Long term I think Jenkinson is the answer but he’s definitely not ready for the gig full time yet. He needs some serious schooling (as do all our defenders except BFG) that their primary job is to play defense! Bould had better instill in them the concept of defense and get them organized, communicating well and defense minded. We get caught far too often with too many players up the field and nobody covering the back except our slow German.
Coquelin is quality and I think could also do the job but if that’s a plan then he needs to be moved there permanently and begin learning his trade.
I’d support bringing in an experienced defender to help cover for Sagna during his absence and one that can help the team overall in terms of experience and leading by example for the younger lads.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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koscienly Per TV Santos/Gibbs[whoever is fit and ready to go]
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We have NO decent left backs at the moment, both Gibbs and Santos are below par.
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If you have a look at the video of him, Mert and Poldi dancing on stage in Nigeria it looks like he could start in the opening game against the Mackens !
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what about putting koscienly there and put mertasaker in the centre with vermaelen
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Nico Yennaris all day long for me!!
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Frankly i think the best move would be to go for PSG s unsettled defender ,Sakho ,as he would not only help the right back position ,his versatility would surely help the whole backline .my opinion
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Coquelin is a better player then Carl in that position. though Jenkinson has don’t some good job there but Coquilin is perferable. he can run down the flinks make some good crosses and fall back to the defence without major lapses which is one of the major shortcoming of Carl.
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Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Out of tune?. Like or Dislike:
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I think Coquelin provided the best cover on right back last season. Jenkinson is not reliable, its just too early for him to be fair.
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Sakho…
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Were all onabout coquelin yennaris and jenkinson my opinion is yennaris oland definitely coquelin r gonna b big hits in the future but they r both defensive midfielders and we could convert one into a rb n keep one as a dm i think coquelin has more too ofer in the middle of the park so would giv yennaris a go at rb although if sagna injures himself again we will b complaining that we should of signed a rb personaly id loan either of yennaris or coquelin out so they can get experience buy arb or try and loan a rb
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I also agree with every1 that says jenkinson needs more time he has no chemistry with walcott and defending he was a nightmare against united i hope he does well and grows into a good rb but for now i think a sub if needed or league cup ge should gather experience as hes not good enough in rb for a team competing in the champions league and challenging for titles
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Jenkinson for me. The Asian tour didn’t tell us much.
Mistakes, inexperience and an absense of bonding was apparent, nothing more.
The real pre-season is near at hand in Germany.
Steve Bould and his staff will tighten the back division by the 18th of August and Jenkinson, IMO, will continue his progress towards becoming an Arsenal legend.
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I beg ur pardon #afc fan who are calling 4 wenger to buy sahko a question is he beta dan bartley ans i dnt think so if u disagree let bartley go to the french league 1 on a season long loan and let sahko come to the epl and u would see the difference sahko is not dat wonderful as people hype i think i’ll go 4 bartley anyday
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I think Yennaris can do the job. That boy is a very good player better than those we could buy from other clubs.
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Guys, We know that we have a world class RB as Sangna who will come back soon and we can use Jenkinson as his deputy now from my point of view, the problem is with LB where Santos/Gibbs were not good and we dont have any cover …. I think LB option is not taken into consideration ….
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I would buy Debuchy not only as a back-up to start off with for Sagna, but to seriously challenge him for a place in the starting line-up. Sagna is still a good right-back, but he’s 29 now. How long has he got at the top level?
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When i see Arsene Wenger and his signings, it looks like he looked only as a coverage of RVP and Walcott… No other potential signings from defense point of view which was pathetic last year … lots of Goals leaking… even No new goal keeper … i am Fan of arsenal but the Arsene Policy amazes me …. Can anybody share their views on the signing part ???
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Buy Debuchy!
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Coq-adoodle-doo all the way
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dnt trust jenkinson, we shld try swipe debuchy
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Sagna won’t be out for long.
Therefore, Jenkinson, Coquelin and Yennaris are more than capable debuties and there is no need to buy (if anything it would be LB cover as Santos is far too attacking (which that is shown with Wenger even starting him left wing now) and Gibbs not playing a full season.
For me it’s obviously between Jenkinson and Coq for the start of season and it depends who AW starts in the final friendly (we need another friendly badly btw).
For my money, Le Coq is the man to step up and fill the RB role. I love his adaptablity and he impressed me when he did fill in.
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its only one month that sagna will be out, so no need to worry
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BTW…Sakho though can play LB is mainly a CB. He had a really poor season last year, being dropped and being stripped of captaincy and off field problems.
He’s no way the man for us at all.
If there’s anyone that fits what we need it would be Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa from Montpellier who can play ANYWHERE across the back line and was solid all last year.
I do think AW WON’T sign any defender though so it’s a moot argument/
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How can we ne talking about playing a midfielder on defrnce over a defender who for me is a good cover. carl has to play theit or whats the point having him. i think he crosses the ball better then alot n likr the fscy he looks good going foreard.
He will only grt better but you guus need to havr faith. we need a signing at lb yhats where our problem lies
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Benjamin MENDY
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(4-2-3-1)
SZCZESNY
SAGNA
KOSCIELNY
VERMAELEN
SAKHO
SONG
M’VILA
WALCOTT
CAZORLA
PODOLSKI
GIROUD
Subs:
Fabianski
Gibbs
Mertesacker
Arteta
Wilshere
Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gervinho
Rest of 1st team squad:
Mannone
Jenkinson
Miquel
Santos
Coquelin
Frimpong
Diaby
Ramsey
Miyaichi
Rosicky
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I think Nico Yennaris should get the nod. If there is any of these upcoming young players who can be converted effectively into a right back defender, it has to be Nico and I think this will be good for him as it will be his only opportunity to get games this season. Already we know that in midfield, Le Coq is ahead in the pecking order because he is the successor to Alex Song as it stands. Coquelin also got a lot of games last season in Midfield and will be getting games this seasons as well. So it is Nico Yennaris for me. This will be Nico’s break through opportunity into the first team. If he gets three or four games before Sagna comes back and his performances are good, he would have effectively staked his claim as Sagna’s direct understudy. Jenkinson is still raw and should be loaned out. His crosses are great but come on, he is first and foremost a defender and he is not very good at defending yet.
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Jenkinson still needs more experiences and exposures but he’ll get better. Same as Yennaris. I think Coquelin is better.
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thumbs up for sakho or thumbs down for mbiwa
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RB is not about defending alone…they also need to know how to cross the ball to danger areas too for the strikers to attack that is what BS3 know how to do best…NON of them really know how to do this, but Jenkinson is better that rest… agreed he’s definitely not ready for the gig full time yet… give him time he will surely come good.
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anyone got any updates on cazorla of m’villa
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I think we should not make mistake from the begining, if our tall german centre back is fit for the season, we should move kolsciney as temporary replacement for sagna. I have suggested earlier that jenkison should go on loan and have enough playing time, i see him as the captain of next generation of arsenal team. However, if that is not possible then coqueline should be the automatic backup
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@Paul what news mate?
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nico yennaris will be playing at right back at the start
of the season. he can play as defensive mf, cm and a good
passer of the ball. he can also play as a right back and
a left back. he was rock against nani and in pre season
arsenal havent conceded a goal when he is playing at right
back.my starting xi against sunderland will be:
szezcsny yennaris kosicelny vermaelen gibbs song
arteta chamberlain cazorla walcott giroud.
fabianski mertesaker santos diaby gervinho podolski
eisfeld
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I personally feel that Arsene should bring in 2 more defenders who have been linked with the club who would be affordable but great additions. First sakho who is solid fast and solid! And lilles right back debauchery sorry for spelling, sell squid and Johan and replace with these 2 and were sorted. Also add mvilla for midfield bite and cazorla for creativity and possible sahin for depth and I cant see us not winning atleast one trophy next year! Gooner for life.
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We need a much experienced cover at RB….
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@ soroosh
Right on!
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If were going 2 stay with are current recourse’s I highly recommend coquelin or le coque. If we are going 2 sign a new player it would have 2 be montoya from barcalona A lot of people will say no but montoya has attacking and defence ability.
On the transfer note santi cazorla who many haven’t seen in action but I’ve been watching this player for years and is 100 times better than the likes of hazard is going to have a medical and is expected to complete a £17M by monday. Happy days as he I believe will score around 15 goals next season and also about 15 assist.
Gooner 4 life
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These are the days you wish you had Eboue come through the doors again. This should teach Arsenal fans to appreciate what they’ve got.
That Frog-like Dancer was a gooner through and through.
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its just been announced on arsenal.com that nico yennaris
has extended a contract with asrenal. it looks like
yennaris will be the man for arsenal at right back. i think
he will be as good as javier zanetti in years to come
with his versatility in midfield and in full back areas.
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Mertesacker is fit again now so he’d be #1 choice assuming he is fit. He spent most of last season out though so for cover we need to sign another defender.
Jenkinson and Coquelin although are good for the future but we need another experienced defender to join up – and quick too!
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“In conclusion, my preferred choice for that right-back position would be Coquelin, due to his sterling performances last season and his strong defensive abilities. I am, however, willing to be challenged on this”
I totaly agree with u, Coquelin best option.
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I went to the Carling Cup game against Leeds and saw Yennaris play, the guy has something about him! A class player in my eyes although due to the lack of experience I would still go with Coquelin.
Yennaris has just signed a new long term contract as well, so thats great news
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Not Jenkinson. Yennaris is almost there but not yet- I really suggest a loan move. Coquelin. Who still remembers when he played right back against blackburn? was a beast in defence breaking up the only attacks on blackburn and was decent in attack to- grabbing a assist
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danny simpson of newcastle would be a top notch replacement for sagna hes looked realy good in preseason for newcastle.
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I prefer coquelin n yennaris in that position. Jenkinson isn’t ready yet. N we can’t afford to take risks if we’re aiming for at least a trophy next season. Like for agree. Dislike for disagree.
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I personally think that nico yennaris should play as played well against nani, he had a decent pre season providing one assist and he quick, a decent passer and a good tackler. Nico’s just signed a new long term contract so wenger must rate him highly.
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Coquelin is the only option, hes not put a foot wrong for us and has impressed me. Jenkinson looks like a tall Franny jeffers and defends like him too. No trust in him being able to play at that level.
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We should keep our focus on the long run. The guy for that job is Jenkinson and he has to be given that play time needed to build him into one of the best right full backs in the premier league.
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Carl Jenkinson
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Buy M’vila, & Dempsey along with Cazorla in the midfield and we won’t need a big name replacement for sagna…
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The back 4 should always consist of your 4 best defenders if possible at arsenal currently that is sagna koscielny mertesacker vermaelen. the mext best defender is either gibbs djourou or coquelin. for me the answer is play kos at right back till sagna is fit with per and tv in the centre gibbs at left back. when sagna is fit gibbs drops out with tv switching to left back. hpwever my favourite is to loan out jenkinson bartley and miquel sell squillaci and djourou then buy debuchy mbwia sakho and baines
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I think our right back situation is a big problem. Sagna broke his leg for the second time so if he breaks it again, that could end his career. So he needs to be brought back very slowly. Now, jenkinson is a good prospect but he is not ready yet. Might need year or two, so he is not the answer yet. Coguelin is our best option but he is a midfielder not a right back. He can come in and play a game here and there as a right back but he can’t be our answer. He is still very young and his positioning is questionable and makes mistakes when playing there. Which is understandable though. I think we should maybe get a decent right back on a loan. Somebody with experience who could cover for couple of months till Sagna returns. If we’re gonna rely on jenkinson and even Coguelin in that position we will be in trouble. We are not great defensively with our left backs so we can’t be weak in right back as well because top teams would pick us apart on the wings.
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jenkinson is another ramsey….
SIPLY NOT GOOD ENOUGH…
COQUILIN IS GOING TO BE A TOP STAR..
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‘Realist’ with probably the most unrealistic post I’ve seen in some time.
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I believe Coquelin can handle RB till Sagna returns. Wat we desperately need is a LB, as both Santos and Gibbs are not yet gud enuff.
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well this is a non-story….
don’t tell me you have forgotten the ever reliable – precision passer – fabulous marker – marvellous in the air – dynamic engine – perfect reader of the game and ever dependable
newly contracted
yes – you’ve guessed i’m sure
the ol’ swiss cheese – Mr Cuckoo clock himself
JOHAN DJOUROU
so thats all right then….nothing to worry about !!!!!
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SZCZESNY
KOSCIELNY Mertesaker VERMAELEN
Arteta Song Sahin Cazorla
Walcott Podolski
RVP
Subs: Giroud,Santos/Gibbs,Coqulin/yenaris,Jenkison,Fabianski,Gervinho,Diaby)
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I think coquiline is the best both on right en left. We need baines on the left
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When all players are fit our 1st eleven: szneczny,sagna,kos,verminator,gibbs(weak link in the whole team), song, arteta,wilshere,carzola,giroud,podolski.subs: mannone,coq,jenk,santos,ox,walcot,gerivinho,mert,djour en esfield
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Many of you are so eager to tear down Carl Jenkinson, yet miss the point that him and Phil Jones are at the same place in the football world. I bet many of you would trade Jenk for Jones….Give the boy a chance and you will see that he will become the new Tony Adams aka donkey. Puyol began at rightback and Micha richards is just now being converted to a cb. Have faith and he will come good…..also Yennaris is a beast and he will be sagna’s replacement at Arsenal. CARL AND KYLE WILL BE MARK MY WORDS THE NEW ADAMS AND BOULD.
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Jenkinson is one of the main reasons we lost so bad to United. his tactical awareness is poor. unlike Yennaris and Coquelin, who are both defensive minded players
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in think Coquelin is the best player for this postion. Jenkinson not have good skill of defender. I think ARS need buy a player can play in this postion if have moneys
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Yennaris has proven a good and solid RB. Jenkinson is too sluggish.
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