Sagna Signing Strengthens Gunners
Jul 12th, 2007 by 'holic
The least surprising of the summer transfers was confirmed today by Arsenal as Bacary Sagna completed his move from Auxerre.
The Gunners have been linked with the French international defender for some weeks now, but his arrival has prompted a mixed reaction.
Already the stories of the impending departure of Justin Hoyte have started. Well it has to be a possibility but let’s not forget we all wanted a defender signed to cover the loss of Eboue and Toure to the African Cup of Nations in January. I can only see Hoyte being allowed to leave if Kerrea Gilbert is thought to be ready to take his place in the squad.
Another option being mooted around the blogs and forums is Eboue being moved up into a more attacking right-sided role. Having seen his performance at Portsmouth I’m not too sure if that is an option. Judgement on one game is harsh I know but would you really pick him on the right ahead of Hleb, Walcott, and even Van Persie. The latter would be my tip for that positional switch to accomodate Eduardo and Adebayor in attack.
With seven weeks of the transfer window remaining that is unlikely to be the last of the summer dealing at the Grove. Another forward, hopefully the almost mythical goalscoring winger, should be the next priority. The increasingly touted impending sale of Freddie Ljungberg makes that imperative.
The doomsayers are out in force around the various fora at present, but I have to say at this stage of the close season I am starting to sense a very useful squad coming together in N5. In less than two months we will know just how much further that squad has been strengthened. By the end of August we will also have completed three league fixtures and two Champions League qualifiers. I’ll save my worrying until then.
3 Responses to “Sagna Signing Strengthens Gunners”
I just don’t understand where Sagna is meant to fit in. I don’t want Hoyte to leave, and i think he improved well last season but its looking like it might happen. Unless Eboue moves to RM as has been suggested.
Good point Freddie, but I think Eboue and Sagna will fight out the right back berth. Hoyte I think will be retained as cover for all four defensive positons, unless he wants to leave. Let’s not forget the African Cup of Nations, and the loss of Toure and Eboue in January.
“…I am starting to sense a very useful squad coming together in N5..”
Couldn’t agree more! I think our rivals and the neutral sceptics are being far too quick to write us off, largely due to TH’s departure – we’re far bigger than one man……