"I think it is more down to Carl Jenkinson." Wenger said. "We have Jenkinson and we have Koscielny, who has been educated as a right-back. Johan Djourou can play there, too. Laurent Koscielny was always a right-back, so he can play there. Even Andre Santos can play there, I think, so we have plenty of possibilities."
Wenger's optimism betrays the fact that none of the four has spent significant time playing the position at the professional level. Jenkinson played just eight games for League One's Charlton Athletic before moving to Arsenal in the summer. Djourou is a central defender, who would prefer to play a defensive midfield role. Koscielny is an error-prone central defender, who hasn't displayed the necessary attributes to thrive in a fullback role in his time in North London.
Jenkinson is in line to start Saturday against Sunderland. The 19-year-old Arsenal supporter has played six times for the club and has shown his inexperience when matched up against top opposition. Nani and Gareth Bale terrorized the poor kid during Arsenal's losses to Manchester United and Tottenham. Sunderland may be a more accurate test of his viability as Sagna's long-term replacement.
The most advisable choice would be Santos. The Brazilian international is a left back by trade. He defends as well as the other three (decently at best) and has much more experience playing at the top level. His advantage over the others comes in the final third, where he can be devastating. His goal against Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League shows what he can bring in this section of the field. He would not lose much with a temporary switch from the left and the games will help him adapt to Arsenal and the English Premier League.
What do you think?
Who is Arsenal's best right-back option while Bacary Sagna recovers from a broken leg?
Photo courtesy of Flickr/Catalan Bola Photo Gallery
