He was immense against Sunderland. He made several absolutely life saving tackles and probably won us the game to be honest. I've lost count of the times I've banged on about us needed 4 top quality CBs. Could Sagna be the answer ? He's no longer as quick as he used to be on the wing, but his defensive class is there for all to see.
So, your point is that a RB can make a good CB ? That's why we're praising Sagna's performance today.
Don't get me wrong, he was brilliant, but I think it has more to do with a spur of the moment decision of him being called upon, a lot of trust was put into him and it excelled him to perform well, I can't really compare it to anything, but the closest I can get is perhaps the underdog mentality? Would he be able to play like that consistently? I highly doubt it.
I think he's got all the defensive qualities to play there. He lacks a bit of height, but still made several crucial headers today and his last ditch tackling and clearing was world class
I wonder whether Wenger's started paying more attention to defensive coaching over that last couple of weeks? Certainly, on the evidence of today's game and the last one against Stoke, the defence has performed a lot better as a unit. There's been none of those stupid errors that have characterised virtually every other performance this season.
If we could have maintained this for the entire season We're looking good for the run-in, just need to make sure we keep our focus and beat the Scum
I felt Mert and Sagna worked together today better than most of Arsenal's CB performances this season. Unlike last week, the improvement can not be credited to lack of pressure from an opponent. The back 4 played almost an entire half with a man down and under pressure. There were moments of "oh shiite" emergency defending, but players stepped up and made the efforts and tackles, including Chesney. Today the back 4 played with more organization and effort. It could be that the adrenaline of today's unique circumstances helped. It could also have everything to do with the new, outstanding new LB who plays better position than either of his predecessors. Thank you, Mr. Monreal. Nonetheless, I hope Wenger gives Sagna at CB another chance.
They were very good today. I think Monreal is a better defender than Gibbs to be honest, but maybe lacks the drive Gibbs has going forward. The CBs today were very good indeed, which is promising, because Mertesacker has had a couple of dodgy games recently. Trouble is, that Jenks is now going to miss the next game through suspension, so we have a problem at RB if our CBs haven't recovered.
Miquel will play vs Blackburn no doubt. Kos will probably play too. I'd rest Sagna and play Bellerin. Monreal as LB once again too.
Yes, Jenkins is still in general a wild card. And the red card today proves it. And I agree with you,too, Piskie, that Gibbs is better going forward than Monreal, but I do think Monreal still supports the attack enough to be effective. And that's why I prefer Monreal: he plays with balance. Arsenal can score goals. Giving up goals after seemingly ridiculous gaffs has been the problem. I feel these moments of disaster occur from forwardly overcommitted, unbalanced defenders ( Verm, Santos, Gibbs) keeping the defense in a sustained feeling of unsettledness. With that said, one problem of Sagna playing CB is how will the other FBs do crossing the ball. Still, when appropriate, I hope Wenger plays Sagna at CB. There was something in the air today that Arsenal defense has been lacking. I hope to see more of it.
Yes, Jenkins is still in general a wild card. And the red card today proves it. And I agree with you,too, Piskie, that Gibbs is better going forward than Monreal, but I do think Monreal still supports the attack enough to be effective. And that's why I prefer Monreal: he plays with balance. Arsenal can score goals. Giving up goals after seemingly ridiculous gaffs has been the problem. I feel these moments of disaster occur from forwardly overcommitted, unbalanced defenders ( Verm, Santos, Gibbs) keeping the defense in a sustained feeling of unsettledness. With that said, one problem of Sagna playing CB is how will the other FBs do crossing the ball. Still, when appropriate, I hope Wenger plays Sagna at CB. There was something in the air today that Arsenal defense has been lacking. I hope to see more of it.
I can't agree with you about Jenks. I think he's pretty solid most of the time and today he was just lacking a bit of match sharpness. He lunged in when usually he'd catch up with the player, learning curve for Jenks today. Agree that Monreal gives us balance and with Gibbs we've got two good players pushing each other. I also agree that a lot of our goals have come from self inflicted moments of lapse of concentration, confidence and commitment. But recently I've seen some evidence that we are clicking going forward and battling to defend.
I'd want to see him play another game as well as he did today in that position before then, but he gave a very good account of himself as a CB today
Coq can fill out right back if needed, he's played there before, and I don't think it'd be a risk having him there against a team like Blackburn. I actually do hope he starts right back in that game as I'd prefer to give Sagna a rest before the big game against Bayern.
