6 Goals, 6 Assists – 5 Things You Should Know About Arsenal’s “Next Sagna”

In a Toulouse side that is brimming with young talent, Serge Aurier has emerged one of the brightest young prospects in France. Still only 21, the young right back has finally started to fulfill the potential everyone knew he possessed. His performances so far have meant that he has a very good chance of getting into the Ivory Coast World squad. Not only that, his performances have also caught the attention of several top European clubs including Arsenal. He is heavily linked with Arsenal as a replacement for Bacary Sagna. Here, we have a put together 5 things (including his strength and weakness) one should know about this Arsenal target.

1. Career history

Although he was born in Ivory Coast, like most would-be African footballers, he took the trip north to France and started his career there. His youth career was spent at Lens where glancing eyes were made by many French clubs. Eventually, he signed a professional contract with the same club and made his debut on 13 January 2009 in a cup game against Lorient.

Three years and 73 games later, Aurier made the switch to Toulouse where great things were expected of him. After taking a season and a half to settle in, this season, he has shown why he was highly regarded by Lens.

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2. Style of Play

Although he is primarily used as a right back or a right wingback, thanks to his aerial ability Aurier has, on more than one occasion been effective as a center half. With Toulouse playing a 3-5-2 formation this season, Aurier has been used more often as a right wingback. And his natural attacking instincts have meant that he has taken to the role like a duck to water.

His numbers, not just defensively but his offensive output has well augurs well for a future as perhaps a right winger. Capable of picking precise though ball or a dribbling past opponents, Aurier’s offensive output is far greater than most full backs and his tally of six goals and six assists in his 32 League games this season is a testament to that.

3. Strengths

Arguably Aurier’s biggest strength is his versatility. Tenacious in the tackle and good in the air, depending on the needs of the team and the formation being employed by the manager, he is capable of playing as a center back, right back or a right wing back. Whilst most modern full backs are good going forward what separates him from the rest is his final ball and goal scoring threat.

Standing at just 5ft 9, his ability in the air is somewhat surprising. Not only is effective on the defensive end with his clearances and interceptions, going forward too, his ability in air is a valuable asset, as demonstrated by his six goals this season. His ability to play from the back and put in dangerous crosses or through balls, make him one of the most technically gifted full backs in the world at the moment.

4. Weaknesses

Given his tenacious tackling ability, the young Ivorian is sometimes a little too eager to fly into the tackle and that is reflected in the fact that he has accrued 10 yellow cards this season. Aurier needs to learn that sometimes jockeying is a far better thing to do that lunging in and putting your team in trouble. Another aspect that he could very well work on is his ability to correctly execute an off-side trap. More often than not, Aurier is guilty of just playing for offside instead of tackling the attacker in question. Perhaps that is something that will get better with time.

5. Possible destinations

With Bacary Sagna set to leave Emirates in the summer, Arsenal are on the lookout for a bright young prospect at right back and the Ivorian could very well move there. Should he be picked for the World Cup and continue his brilliant season, many more clubs will come queuing at the doorstep of Toulouse.

Verdict

Going forward, there are few full backs better than the prodigiously gifted Aurier. If the 21-year-old learns to curb his aggressive instinct and work a little bit more on the defensive side of his game, he could well be one of the finest right backs of his generation.

Having said that, if a team is in desperate need of a right winger and have the time to let Aurier settle in, like Gareth Bale, Aurier certainly has the capability to become a fine winger, given his passing and crossing ability. Whatever the case, the future certainly looks bright for the young man from Ivory Coast.