BACARY BACK SOON

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna could be back into the first-team action much earlier than expected after the defender has revealed that he expects to be fit for the start of the new season.

The 29-year-old French defender suffered a major injury for the second time last season. It was enough to keep him out of the Euro 2012, but this injury seems to have worked in favour of the defender after he has been able to recuperate sufficiently in time for the start of the new season. There were many times during last season when Arsenal clearly struggled without Bacary Sagna in the back.

The French defender is one of the main attacking threats of the team, while he is also equally adept at defending. In his absence, manager Arsene Wenger had to utilise his central defenders in order to replace him. Bacary Sagna suffered a major injury in the final match of the last season against Norwich city. This was his second major injury of the season after he had broken his leg earlier in the season while playing in the North London Derby against Tottenham. It was initially thought that he may not be back into the first-team until September, but Bacary Sagna has given the boost to manager Arsene Wenger by saying that he will be fit for the start of the new season.

The new season starts in a matter of weeks and Arsenal will be hoping that they conclude the pre-season in the best possible fashion. They played in the recent friendly match against Manchester City, which did not end well for the men from London. Arsenal lost in the match 2-0, although they were without a number of players like Lukas Podolski and Robin van Persie. Robin van Persie has been linked with a move to Manchester City.