Sagna praises right-back deputies

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has praised the team-mates who filled his vacant right-back slot during his rehabilitation from injury.

The French international suffered a broken leg in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in October and was out of action for four months.

Sagna returned to the first-team with 90 minutes during Arsenal’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Bolton on Wednesday and he complimented the job done by various members of the squad in his absence.

“They’ve done well, it’s not easy when you have to change position,” Sagna told Arsenal.com. “I don’t see myself playing for two or three months at centre-back, for example.”

“You have to adapt, and at this level you don’t get a lot of time to do that. The pace is different on the flanks and you have to cover a bit more distance, but the guys have coped well.”

Five players have played at right-back since Sagna sustained his injury.

Carl Jenkinson was hit by a stress fracture in his back at the end of last year leaving two centre-backs (Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny) and two defensive midfielders (Francis Coquelin and Nico Yennaris) to try their luck.

Sagna was particularly impressed with how the latter two youngsters handled themselves in the role.

“They’re amazing,” he said. “They just play and don’t worry about anything.”

“I was happily surprised with Nico’s performance against Bolton back in October – he closed down really well and imposed himself well.”

“He did an equally good job when he came on against Manchester United, and I’m very pleased for him – he’s a hard worker and deserves a lot of credit.”

“It’s the same with Francis, he’s a midfield player first of all but he’s given his best at right-back and we know that he’s very good technically too.”