With the recent news that Arsenal midfield maestro & manga-character-haired super Czech, creative firebrand Tomáš Rosický is on the brink of signing a new contract (believed to tie him to the club for a futher 2 seasons), there’s a sense of hope and expectation on the part of many an Arsenal fan that Wenger & the powers that be at the Emirates turn their attention to the contract situation of stalwart rightback & longterm Arsenal servant Bacary Sagna, post haste.
Sagna, who turns 31 next month, is into the final year of his contract. As things stand, there’s absolutely nothing stopping him discussing terms with other clubs, signing a pre-contract and moving on “FREE-TRANSFER” this summer.
The club has changed its stance (sensibly) with regards to giving players over the age of 30 longer contracts. Just because a player has entered his dirty thirties, doesn’t mean he’s going to crumple into a heap and make preparations for an imminent undignified stay in the knackers-yard!
Sagna is an experienced, seasoned professional, a part of the furniture these days at Arsenal and his service to the club has been admirable. He’s said previously that he’s settled and happy in London. Raising a family and enjoying his football as well as his life off the pitch.
But the issue with the Frenchman not signing a new contract at the Emirates is thought to be more about about money, as opposed to the usual red-tape and intricacies that go with signing a big money deal. Sagna wants a raise, an increase in his current salary, in what will very likely be the last big contract of his professional career. Arsenal have offered the French International a contract extension of 2-years. Sagna (and his agent) are thought to be happy with the length of the deal, but not so overjoyed with the financial terms of Arsenal’s initial offer.
Sagna has been an incredibly consistent performer for Arsenal ever since he signed with them in 2007 from Auxerre. He had a fairly poor campaign last season, by his own high standards. But all things considered, after a fairly serious injury (one of a few that he was unfortunate enough to accumulate), he struggled physically and was clearly not 100% in terms of fitness and physicality.
This campaign, Sagna has been back to his old, reliable self, playing a key part in Arsenal sitting a-top of the Premier League for the best part of the season and being a pivotal component in what is currently the best defence in the England.
From the outside looking in, it appears that Arsenal have been and are weighing up the pro’s and con’s of succumbing to Sagna’s increased terms and may well come to the conclusion that paying a bit extra in wages, for a player that’s already integrated into the “Arsenal way” and is admittedly “happy” with his role at the club, is a preferable course of action. The alternative route being identifying a new rightback, convincing the said player to come to Arsenal, parting with a transfer-fee, getting them up-to-speed and essentially partially breaking-up what is a very efficient and effective defensive unit.
In spite of Sagna being in the over 30’s-club now, if he does decide his future is to be away from the Emirates, there’ll be no shortage of clubs wanting his services, PSG for one are rumoured to be very keen & could offer him a very tidy package to see out the Autumn and Winter of his career.
The overwhelming feeling from the majority of Arsenal fans is one of hope that Sagna decides to stay on at Arsenal and that the club meets him halfway, giving him a decent financial package and an incentive to go on and get a medal/medals his loyalty & ability deserves. Hot on the heels of Rosický (who turns 34 this October) thought to be dusting his biro off in preparation of putting pen to paper on a new contract extension, it’s difficult to see any real mileage in Arsenal haggling over a few extra shirt-buttons to secure the services of a man many rate as the most consistent rightback in the Premier League over the last 6/7 seasons. Arsenal are lauded for having an exciting nucleus of young talent, but time and again, it’s proven, when push comes to shove, having a few older hands who’ve “done the rounds” adds that all important experience to a team dynamic, as well as an example for the prodigious young talent to aspire to.
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