Forget Sagna – Three Right Backs Arsenal Should Target This Summer

Bacary Sagna’s refusal to sign a contract extension at the Emirates has left Arsene Wenger rush to the summer transfer market in pursuit of a long term, yet seamless  replacement at the right back slot for the Gunners ahead of the upcoming campaign. Arsenal are after several players and Wenger armed with a sizeable transfer kitty this time around has vowed to find the best of players in the transfer market as the Frenchman is desperate to mount a serious title challenge after ending an eight year drought without silverware. As Arsenal fans wait in bated breath on who would be Sagna’s replacement, we here at Soccersouls provide three possible options for the London side.

Lukasz Piszczek:

An injury ravaged campaign has restricted the Polish right back to feature in just 20 starts for Borussia Dortmund this season. A brilliant right back with an immense work rate, Piszczek would provide Arsenal with a different attacking outlet with his pin point crosses from the right flank. According to the Metro, the Dortmund ace is on the top of the wish list of Arsene Wemger who is believed to be an admirer of the Pole.  An excerpt reads,

“Piszczek is said to be growing frustrated with top players constantly departing Dortmund, and a summer transfer is on the cards. Arsenal value the Pole at about £7million and believe he would provide vital experience to the back four, whilst not hampering the development of England Under-21 star Carl Jenkinson.”

Although Piszczek has just made 20 appearances in the league so far amidst all the injury concerns, his numbers haven’t deterred. He has won 54% of his duels and particularly his heading duels stands at an impressive 56%, which would be added boost for Arsenal who are known to suffer when it comes to handling the aerial attacks.

Serge Aurier:

The Toulouse right back has been linked with the Gunners right from the season end and it is believed that significant advancements have been made by Arsenal to acquire the services of the 21 year old.

Aurier is a versatile defender who can also slot in as a right wing back with his ability to constantly barge forward to join the attacks earning him the nick name “The Ivorian Dani Alves”. Moreover, like Sagna he has a great work rate and his aerial abilities are absolutely sublime. Arsenal fan can set their eyes of Aurier when he lines up for the Ivory Coast in Brazil next week.

As we have seen earlier, Aurier’s stats are almost better than any other right back’s in the Premier League last season. Of course, the levels of difficulty of the Ligue 1 and Premier League cannot be compared, but his stats speak for himself. An impressive 59% of the duels won along with an average 6 defensive actions per game.

Atsuto Uchida:

Japanese International Atsuto Uchida of the Bundesliga outfit Schalke is another player who has attracted interest from Arsenal since the turn of the year. The 23 year old is a complete package, having great experience under his belt as is regarded as one the best right backs in the German league. Uchida’s interest in playing in the Premier League might see Arsenal getting the Asian star for a small amount in the inflated transfer market, but Schalke would definitely like to keep their prized asset beyond the summer.

Having played a key part in Schalke’s league and Champions League campaign, Uchida has got what it takes to cement his place in the Arsenal starting XI.

stats via squawka