Sagna is arguably the most consistent Arsenal player (Ronnie Macdonald/Flickr)
My choice for Arsenal captain next season. Bacary Sagna has been one of our most consistent players over the last few seasons – not only arguably our strongest defender (bar the injured Thomas Vermaelen), but also one of the clubs most important players. He holds the team together, playing week-in week-out as he is one of the few Arsenal players who is very rarely sidelined with any serious injures. Although Robin van Persie is a viable candidate for the captaincy, his tendency for injury is surely a worry for Arsène Wenger.
Sagna joined the club from Auxerre for £6 million in 2007, and has since been included twice in the PFA team of the season. A few months ago, I did a post asking whether Sagna is the best right-back in the Premier League - an accolade that I think that he fully deserves. When you consider that Laurent Koscielny cost us roughly £9 million, Sagna seems like a bargain; one of Wenger’s best buys over the past few seasons.
The Frenchman became a fan-favorite at the Emirates very quickly; his performances were superb and his commitment to the club was clear from a very early stage in his Arsenal career. In February 2008 he played against AC Milan in the Champions League just days after his brother had died from a seizure, earning huge respect and admiration from the Arsenal supporters.
Sagna may not be known for being a natural leader, but I am sure that this is something that he can learn to adapt to over time. What I believe more important is that he is one of the older and more experienced members of the current Arsenal squad. Maybe age and experience is exactly what we are missing in Cesc Fabregas?
In my opinion, a defender should be chosen to replace Cesc as captain. There will doubtless be many who will argue that strikers are just as capable of leading a team, and I couldn’t agree more. Robin van Persie is a perfectly viable candidate for the Arsenal captaincy. However, it is clear from watching Arsenal over the past few seasons that we have significant defensive frailties that need to be addressed.
Our defence needs to be better organised if we stand any chance of even challenging for the Premier League next season. Last season, we conceded 10 more goals that Manchester City and Chelsea, and 6 more than United – the stats speak for themselves. At this point, I must mention that Sagna barely ever makes mistakes, and has a lot that he could teach the likes of Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny. He has fantastic positional awareness and always reads the game well. I must point out that there is another defender who is also deserving of the Arsenal captaincy. I will discuss all the potential of Thomas Vermaelen tomorrow.
What are the chances of Sagna being Arsenal captain next season? Probably relatively low, because there are a few players who are ahead of him in the pecking order. Although he may go unnoticed by Arsène Wenger, his contribution to the team with nevertheless be there for all to see.
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9 Comments
Vermaelen can be a good captian for gunners
Either RVP or Vermaelen. But my guess is it’ll still be Cesc.
good morning arsenal fans, i will choice vermaelen in my own opinion because he will put more perwaful at defence.
hey brother u ar right.sagna should be given that opportunity to lead.he has stuff.
Sagna is one of the viable and comited player in arsenal squard.he deserve captain band.i surport the motion.i would have made mention of Robin van persie,but because he is an injury player,i surgest that van persie should be his assistance.
There should not be a pecking order.
Either one can lead (players will listen to him) or one cannot (players will ignore him), that should be the only criteria for captaincy.
He has to be a natural BOSS, in order to get the best out of the players, especially when they are a goal down, to inspire them to concentrate and not slack off further or give up.
If we are to reward a player with the captaincy,then R.V.P should b considered first.but for me varmalene posseses the qualities of a good leader in that arsenal team.
I prefer v.p 2 be d new arsenal captain and vermelem as assistant 4 2011/2012
Captaincy should be given to a fighter, a commander in the team, there is none better then TV, Bacary Sagna doesnot have the personality Vermaelan has,his body language is aggressive and confidence inspiring and better than RVP.