Arsenal right-back target hits Sagna’s assist tally in one World Cup game

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Serge Aurier set up two goals for the Ivory Coast yesterday, the same amount Bacary Sagna set up in 35 Premier League appearances last

Arsenal fans have been rocked this week, with two big transfer deals coming at their detriment. Firstly they had to watch on helplessly, as Arsene Wenger decided he did not want to exercise the buy-back option on former captain Cesc Fabregas – essentially handing him to London rivals Chelsea in the process.

Then came the news many have been waiting for – as Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna’s free transfer switch to Manchester City was confirmed. The Premier League champions could offer the Frenchman the three-year deal that The Gunners couldn’t, which proved to be the deal-breaker.

So who replaces Sagna at right-back? One player considered an option is Toulouse defender Serge Aurier. Valued at around £7 million the Ivorian can play at both right and central defence

And he looked well and truly at home in the position in the early hours of this morning, as the Ivory Coast defeated Japan 2-1 in their opening World Cup game.

Japan went 1-0 up in the first half, but The Elephants fought back in the second half to claim a victory. The goals were scored by a fellow Arsenal target, Wilfried Bony, and a former Arsenal flop, Gervinho. But both headers came from delicious deliveries by the man in question, Aurier.

His two assists in this one game make him level with Sagna’s tally of assists for the entire Premier League season.

So Arsenal are surely onto a winner here.