Why this Frenchman won’t be missed if he leaves the Emirates this summer

I don’t think anyone could argue with the presented facts. The contributions to success, via attacking full-back play and goal creation, have been integral in the Premier League.

So let’s put this into an Arsenal context, and look at the opposite being true of Gael Clichy.

Despite flattering to deceive the past two seasons, I feel the closest Arsenal came to securing the title was in 2008, until it all turned sour at St Andrews. Clichy’s needless tackle in the box, and Gallas’ childish tantrum was the turning point for me. Until then, with Rosicky, Hleb, Flamini and Cesc in full flow, we looked like conquering all before us, but you will be stunned at the full-back contribution in this nearly season.

We managed to bag 74 goals, and 17% of them were created by Clichy, Eboue or Sagna, and wait for it, 9 of our goals were created by Gael Clichy alone – an enormous contribution, which rightly made him a fans favourite on the back of Cashley Cole’s departure.

Sadly, in the context of our rivals’ success, as illustrated above, this season proved to be a complete one off for the Frenchman. Whilst Sagna has grown into a world-class attacking full-back Clichy has contributed nothing. In the past three seasons in the Premier League the Frenchman has contributed a measly 4 assists in 83 appearances, which quite frankly, is completely unacceptable. Contrast this with Sagna/Eboue from the opposite flank, who have contributed, 19 assists in the past three campaigns.

So to conclude, whilst it is not the only area we need to address, we do need to secure the services of a top quality left-back who can not only defend, but can contribute in the final third. We need a left-back who knows when to overlap, when to cut the ball back, and when to deliver a proper cross into the box. How many times have we seen Clichy go forward and make the wrong decision, or make the right decision but fail with the execution?

Now this is not my decision to make, but that of Arsene Wenger. However, given the cost to us of inexperience and indecision at the back, I feel we should keep Gibbs in reserve. I know he is a converted winger, so his attacking contribution will be positive, but he is becoming an injury-prone player and needs to work on his defending a lot more.

There is one obvious player who I think would be available for the right price this summer, and I would certainly spend big on him, this being Leighton Baines.

The 26-year-old, who has been an integral part of a consistent and well organised Everton defence for several years, has contributed a massive 11 assists this past season for the Toffees. Everton only scored 53 goals, and Baines made 22% of them, as well as scoring 3 along the way.

However, for those readers thinking ‘oh well that’s just a one off season’, well you’d be astounded to know that Baines’ figures from the previous season (2009/10) were one goal scored, and 16 (27%) goals created of Everton’s 60.

Firstly, I hope that this has convinced you that not only successful Wenger sides have had telling attacking contribution from their full-backs, but that it is also a common factor in the more recent success of others, whilst detrimentally impacting on us, particularly on the left!

Secondly, that we should cash in on the want-away Clichy, the last of ‘The Invincibles’, and invest in Leighton Baines this summer.

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