Sagna played for the U21s at Barnet on Monday night and is returning to fitness. So the question is who will be first choice RB when he's available ? Jenkinson has done really well and come on in leaps and bounds. In my opinion he has been one of our best players so far this season. I think a fit Sagna just edges it and given that he's nearly thirty, he needs to be playing. But it will be good to have a young and eager RB pushing him for his place. Would you drop Jenkinson for Sagna, or keep Jenkinson in the team ?
It's a really tough call, which is a good thing, it shows we now have depth. It may be an unpopular choice, but i would keep Jenkinson in, he's done nothing to warrant being dropped yet.
He might prove me wrong, but I just do not think Jenkinson can keep up this sort of form for the whole season, he is a youngster and he will have spells where he drops off. Hence as CB said, it's all about rotation. It's brilliant that we have these have options now. Last season, we had to use Djourou at RB.
Sagna should return to the starting line up, as good as Jenkinson has been, Sagna has also been just as good for Arsenal, and also has the experience. Let's not forget, that Sagna has consistently been named as the best RB in the EPL, so a few good performances by Jenkinson doesn't change all of that nor does it demote Sagna, who is the better player of the 2. Jenkinson's on a good run of form, Sagna is an established world class RB, let's not forget that, but sadly, as it always seems, Arsenal fans have very short memories, and always base decisions on the short term-form rather than the big picture. I'm sure if we made Jenkinson the number 1 RB and got rid of Sagna, and Jenkinson's form started to drop, which it will eventually, as he is young, Arsenal fans will be all over Wenger saying how the f--k could we get rid of a top class quality RB as Sagna. Sagna has been consistently performing for Arsenal season in, season out, Jenkinson's just been doing it for 2 months, so how on f--king earth do you displace Sagna for Jenkinson? And that's no disrespect to Jenkinson either, he's convinced me that he's adequate enough for covering the RB position, as I was very unconvinced by him in the past.
This He is still young and developing his game. At his age he will naturally go through different periods of form as he develops. The last thing I would want is for people to start getting on his back if he has a poor run. Sagna is first choice for me and it's great that Jenkinson is pushing him. You're right to point out that we were playing Djourou at RB last season and that shows how we've improved in that area. I remember one of the doom mongers last season saying that we should sell Sagna
I'd say play it according to the opposition. For hard games against teams who are going to come out and attack, play Sagna. He's more defensively sound, and experienced, and knows the game inside out. Against the games where teams will sit back and defend, play Jenkinson, as he's more of an attacking outlet. It's a similar situation with Gibbs & Santos on the other side, however, it requires balance. I wouldn't play Jenkinson & Santos - too attacking. I'd play Gibbs & Sagna against the top teams, and one of Santos or Jenkinson against the more defensive teams, depending on which side of their attack tends to be stronger. Tactics
The fact is just two months ago we all would have laughed our heads off at this question. Who would have thought. To me Sagna is still the top guy, but it would be a shame to cut the Jenkinson run, the guy put a real effort, he is on the verge of being England international, just think about it, unbelievable, lets hope he will not lose his enthusiasm.
IMO it should be sagna that gets the nod ahead of jenkinson, it is a shame because jenkinson has come on leaps and bounds this season and especially in the past month he has been the best right back in the premier league (again imo). But football is cruel and i think that sagna will slot back in, he has been consistently a top player for us and it is equally unfair to him to not allow him back into the side because of injury. If anything it is a plus because we now know that jenkinson can easily slot into the team when required. Also don't forget the fact that wenger is unlikely to rush sagna back, even less so with the form that jenkinson is in so i wouldn't expect sagna to start before november.
I think Wenger may give Jenk a lot a playing time this season and then let Sagna go in the summer. Not that I want him to go but economically it makes sense.
I was going to do an article like this yesterday so think its a good question. Jenko is on good form at the moment but Sagna is world class and has a lot of experience. Its a tough one to call, but I would go with Jenko for now and make Sagna wait for his chance to reclaim his place. Once he gets it back its his to keep though. Sagna will probably be sold at the end of the season after his comments a few weeks ago and there are people interested in him according to todays rumours.
That plonker even said there was FIVE right backs better than Sagna in the PL. When asked to name them, he refused to answer.
Sagna for all the reasons already stated. However, he'll know he has a very able deputy in Jinx & will need to be first choice on merit, as opposed to sentiment. Conversely Sagna may decide he doesn't want the Competition & up sticks to Italy. Either way we look very spoilt for choice at RB, right now.
Even if Sagna get's the nod ahead of Jenkinson, we have so many games coming up after the next set of internationals that we will have to rotate, we play in the Capitol One Cup, the Champions League, and also have midweek league games coming up late November, and late December as well, not to mention the return of the FA Cup early January. So there's so many many many games, so Jenkinson will still get lot's of playing time even with Sagna as the main number 1 RB. Jenkinson is still young, so you don't want to burn the guy out either.
Plenty of games for both imo, when 1 needs a rest just play the other and vice versa. You also got to remember than Jenko is 6ft1 and would be alot more useful at set peices then Sagna. I also think that Jenko crossing is alot better than Sagna.
Yea why do we need a first choice? Jenkinson is in now, maybe Sagna is later. As has already been stated, we've got lots of games. 4 trophies to contend for so everyone is going to play. If Sagna is not 100% he should get back to that first.
I think everyone is getting ahead of themselves, Sagna has had a very serious injury and has only played an U21s game (I'm assuming he'll play in the closed doors friendly vs Chelsea as well), it'll take him time to get match fit and then following that to find form (I mean Ramsey still isn't back to full form even after a full season and a few months), in the mean time Jenkinson will be No1 and Sagna can be eased back into the team slowly to ensure he's up to speed - then after Christmas we can see the form of both players and see if Sagna is back up to full form. If he is then I'd say Sagna would be 1st choice - however if Jenks has been playing at this level for 6 months then it'll create a very good battle. Rotation is the key either way as CB says.
