Sagna urges Arsenal to sign relegated pair including Rory Delap-esque star with ‘ridiculous’ skill | OneFootball

Bacary Sagna has urged Arsenal to sign two players relegated from the Premier League, including one he values for having a Rory Delap-esque quality.

Arsenal director Edu confirmed this week that the club would be making significant signings this summer to “once again raise the level of our squad”.

Declan Rice is thought to be their top target as they negotiate with West Ham over a transfer fee for the England international, who’s thought to be keen on a move to the Emirates.

But further additions are expected, which will be music to the ears of Sagna, who reckons his former club need to sign “four or five” new players this summer.

“I think Arsenal need to add quality in every department,” Sagna told Lord Ping. “These players need support and Arsenal need to add competition across the squad in order to compete across four fronts next season.

“Arsenal need to add players that can shine when they are called upon; players that can make a difference when they step into the team.

“Arsenal have amazing players at the moment, but the players that they have will improve if they can add some competition to the squad. I think they need to add four or five players to the team this summer.”

Asked to name any players he hopes join Arsenal next season, Sagna added: “James Maddison from Leicester. I also really like James Ward-Prowse.

“He is a player that can change a game on his own. Every team needs a player that can change a game in a heartbeat. You know when Arsenal used to play Stoke, Rory Delap was a player that could change a game on his own because of his long throws.

“Ward-Prowse is a master at set pieces. When a game is locked and you have a player with his ability, that is so dangerous. His freekicks are the best in the league.

“I am not saying that he would start every game, but if you added him from the bench with 15 or 20 minutes to go, he would make the difference. You need players like that in your team. His free kicks are ridiculous. He takes them for fun.

“Defensively, I think Arsenal need another really top centre back and an equally top right back.”

Sagna also backed Arsenal’s move for Rice, who would fit “perfectly” into the role expected to be vacated by Granit Xhaka, who’s heavily linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

Sagna said: “I think Declan Rice would improve under Mikel Arteta, definitely. We saw Xhaka perform in a slightly different role for Arsenal this season, where he had an impact in the offensive part of the field.

“I think that is where Arsenal would be looking to use Rice if they signed him – I can see him fitting into Xhaka’s role perfectly.

“I think he would play with more freedom at Arsenal than he currently enjoys at West Ham.

“He will find himself in situations where he will have the opportunity to add more goals to his game because he will be receiving better service at Arsenal and he will be playing with better players who will be able to find him like Odegaard.

“I think that the only way for Arsenal to allow Xhaka to leave is by signing Declan Rice. If Xhaka leaves, then I would hope Arsenal may very well have something lined up with Rice.”