A pre-match injury to Laurent Koscielny forced Arsene Wenger to deploy right-back Bacary Sagna at centre-half for the Arsenal’s trip to Sunderland on Saturday, a task made even harder when deputising right-back Carl Jenkinson was sent off with half an hour to go.
Sagna though was superb, repelling everything the Black Cats could throw at him as the Gunners held on for a 1-0 win, so Football Burp paid visits to online communities Arsenal Mania, Arsenal Times and Arseblog to see what folks had to say about their out-of-position hero…
Bacary Sagna: central defender?
arseblog, Arseblog
By his own admission he hasn’t been up to his usual standards this season, but hopefully this display is the platform for him returning to that level. He was just outstanding. Wholehearted, committed, aware, and brave, everything you want to see from a defender when your team is up against it. He won header after header, made clearance after clearance, and it was probably the best individual defensive performance of the season thus far.
GOONER1991, Arsenal Mania
What an absolutely stunning performance. Well done Bacary! He was absolutely brilliant when we went down to 10 men today.
This might just have given Wenger something to think about.
His legs are gone, but he’s still decently quick for a CB, strong, good on the floor and terrific in the air.
It’s something to really think about.
More clearances today than any of our CBs so far this season. Beast.
His celebration at the end was great, and I was beginning to think he didn’t care.
nhoj14, Arsenal Times
Maybe he should play there every week, was immense from start to finish.
fabo, Arsenal Mania
Outstanding performance. Looked better than Mertesacker aswell tbf.
poon, Arsenal Times
Why don’t we convert him to a CB full time? I don’t think he can do it anymore at RB, after his two leg breaks.
Starting at CB will allow him to sit back and concentrate on his defending
THunter, Arsenal Mania
Give him a 5 year deal and make him first choice CB please.
WHAT.A.PERFORMANCE.
Simon68, Arsenal Times
After today no-one can question his commitment or ability.
Top player who has had a dip in form. Has been the best RB in the EPL I’ve seen and then shows how good a CB he can be.
The Jury, Arsenal Mania
The aerial bombardment probably suited him, but that was the best performance from one of our CBs all season – and from a RB. That was fcking brilliant.
Taylor Gang Gunners, Arsenal Mania
What a display from our Mr. Consistent.
We should seriously consider reverting him to a CB on the back of that performance.
Edged MOTM over Szczesny today for me.
Top, top class performance.
DontPushMe, Arsenal Mania
Amazing game he played. He’s lost some pace and stamina but playing cb could add a few years to his career if he plays like that
Cruisio, Arsenal Mania
It’s the fact that he’s always been one of our best natural defenders the whole time he’s been here, that part of playing a RB he’s great at, the attacking side not so much but he’s given leeway because he does the defenders job part first and foremost
musicmonkey, Arsenal Mania
It’s bizarre watching him beat players way taller than him to headers. Read the game really well too, got to all the second balls that fell around the box and that made a massive difference today.
Lettraggad, Arseblog
On Sagna I just want to say .. Sign him up (or let him see out contract) and no this isn’t a knee jerk reaction based on one game. The kind of die hard character Sagna displays is a quality we have lacked for some time and something we need more of and it doesn’t die with age ,its a character that our old rednosed foe values more than technique and other skills. Keep him around for as long as we can I say.
Should Bacary Sagna stay at centre-back, Arsenal fans? Have your say in the comments section below…