Exclusive Pic to Gunners Live

So Bacary is out for 3-5 weeks. It’s a massive blow when you consider he’s been one of our most consistent performers on the pitch this season.

Things were looking good for Bac last Sunday when he headed Arsenal into a 1-0 lead against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Minutes after scoring that goal, he twisted his ankle and came off, at the time it looked like a precaution.

Le Boss gave us the news on Arsenal.com:

“He has an ankle injury and the first news that we have is that he could be out for quite a while,” said the manager. “I don’t know [exactly] how long he will be out but I feel it will be three weeks at least. Five is the [worst case scenario].

“I have seen the injury again on tape. He wanted to kick the ball out and he twisted his ankle. That made it a bad injury.”

The question Gunners Live and most Gooners are asking is ‘Who will replace Bacary?’

 Emmanuel Eboue

The obvious choice to come in for Sagna is Eboue who has made the right wing position his own. He has more attacking qualities then defensive and I feel by playing him in this position, Premier League players could expose his defensive weaknesses. Of course Eboue will play there during Sagna’s absence but I feel it could cost us.

A fiery temper, top ability and pacey attacking play. This probably sums up Emmanuel Eboue quite well. He will need to be at the top of his game while Sagna is out, or Arsenal certainly could be losing more points.

 Justin Hoyte

You feel ‘Hoytey’ could be on his way out of Arsenal at the end of the season. Either a permanent or loan move after few opportunities this season. Justin has been a bit part player ever since he worked his way up through the academy ranks to the first team. His loan spell at Sunderland gave him some added confidence but when Bacary Sagna made his move from Auxerre there was a feeling that Hoyte could be sold.

Anyway, his defensive qualities are questionable. But his superb athletic ability can at times, make up for it. It seems Hoyte is destined for a career elsewhere, but he is an able replacement and as a Gooner himself, shows pride when he slips on that Arsenal shirt.

Kerrea Gilbert

20 year old Kerrea is another product of the successful Arsenal academy. Similar to Hoyte, Kerrea was shipped out on loan firstly to Cardiff last season, and the first half of this season Southend had his services where he notably earned few minutes on the pitch due to a ‘bust up’ with the Southend coaches which forced him to come back to Arsenal.

Kerrea is of course, a typical Wenger player. Strong, athletic but one problem is his attitude. He needs to focus on football matters and forget about hindrances behind him. A big confidence boost came when he was picked in the squad for the game v Blackburn in February. He didn’t make an appearance, but it showed Wenger’s faith in him. He’s unlikely to get games during Sagna’s absence, it would certainly be surprising if he did though.