Arsenal's history is littered with top-class right backs from Pat
Rice to Lee Dixon and Lauren. Bacary Sagna looks to be cut from the
same cloth.
The French defender has been one of the shining lights of Arsenal's
season, shoring up the back four with his uncompromising tackling
while complementing the attack with darting overlaps and pinpoint
crosses.
Even the finest overseas imports - Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry
Henry among them - take time to find their feet in English football
but Sagna has slotted in seamlessly. His instant impact has even
taken Arsène Wenger by surprise.
"For me Sagna, although not a lot of people talk about him, has
been tremendous since he has come here," said the Arsenal
manager.
"He adapted very, very quickly not only to the technical level but
also to the way we want to play the game, and as well to the
physical aspect of the game.
"He seems to just pop up naturally like he has played forever in
this league and that is great credit to him. Emmanuel Eboue has
done extremely well also on the right flank and they make a good
combination.
"It is very difficult to predict how players will settle in," added
Wenger.
"At the start of the season, I thought I will give him six or seven
months but he just looked to have improved very quickly and adapt
very quickly. It is a complete surprise to me because I didnt
expect him to have so many appearances so early on."
Sagna was widely regarded as French football's most consistent
right back when he left Auxerre for Arsenal. He is already
challenging for the same accolade in England.
