The Situation
Arsenal have been relying on Bacary Sagna for six-and-a-half seasons, ever since he joined from Auxerre in 2007. The Frenchman has become a key part of the Gunners plans in seeking out a trophy, and he has been arguably the best right-back in the Premier League across the seven years he has been with the club.
With Carl Jenkinson clearly talented, but definitely not ready to make the step up just yet, it seems odd to allow one of the most experienced players in the side to run down his contract to its final six months. The lack of back-up in this area, combined with the clear nonchalance in signing any replacement is quite worrying for any fan of the side, particularly as it just seems that this re-building phase may be coming to an end soon.
Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny have been pulling in the plaudits, due to their great record across the past two years, but Sagna is the unlauded one. He has quietly done his job in a solid defence, even adapting his game to allow the right wing a bit more freedom to stay forward.
Yes, he has made some mistakes, some of which were almost costly, but in the current market it will be hard to find anyone who can do a better job for the wages he is asking. Full back is a position that can have no half-measures taken in; despite many thinking it is the last position to worry about. Playing someone unfamiliar with the role that Sagna plays could be much more costly than people realise: it could upset the whole team and become a leak for goals.
The Decision
Reports have suggested that Wenger may be about to offer a third contract offer by the end of the coming week, but it seems that he may be changing his infamous ‘over 30: 1 year’ protocol. Having offered Sagna the same deal he is on (£60k per week) in a one-year deal, he offered the same again, but in a two-year deal. Both have since been rejected.
If rumours of a third contract offer are true, Wenger must realise that it is vital to bring Sagna into the realms of pay that similarly talented players are on. It is unlikely he will offer a three-year contract, so a pay rise must be in the works. To pay someone as loyal and hard-working as Sagna anything less than £80k per week, considering the current other top right backs in Europe, is laughable.
His age may be one factor in this, but the bottom line is that any replacement will ask for wages of a similar amount, not to mention transfer fees.
The Verdict
Wenger and the Arsenal board have been incredibly active regarding contract renewals over the past two seasons, and this could be another one to add to the list. Sagna is deserving of a new deal and could be vital in the development of future right backs, such as Jenkinson, who needs an example to follow as he rises to the fore.
With the contract offer almost certain to be a pay rise, rather than an increase in length, to the last offer, Wenger may have got his man tied down. Whilst French players have a history of being controversial or sulky, Arsenal need to remember that their thirty-year-old has never stepped out of line and he is still putting on top-drawer displays. Kudos needs to go to Wenger for his shrewd approach to finances most of the time, but this example is one that is better sorted sooner rather than later, with a few clubs monitoring the situation. The experience and proven class of the defender are two reasons that this is a no-brainer.
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