Arsenal: Djibril Sidibe Could Have Solved Rodriguez Delay

Arsenal need a left back in the near future and they had two excellent options this summer. But both may already be off the table, as Sibide certainly is.

I was so set on seeing Ricardo Rodriguez come to Arsenal that, I must admit, I was letting it cloud my judgment. The guy is elite and he would be an amazing partner for Hector Bellerin on the right side, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other solutions and other possibilities. Plus, as I mentioned in my previous article about the Rodriguez pursuit likely being called off, spending that much money on a non-necessity is a bit silly.

When rumors emerged that Arsenal were pursuing Djibril Sidibe of Lille, I was irate. His signing would mean no Rodriguez. But I didn’t even stop to think that he may be a better solution in the grand scheme of things.

And he would have been just that. But Monaco beat Wenger to it. Go figure.

While the glitz and glamor of having Xhaka and Rodriguez is cute and charming, Sidibe’s play fits very well with what I was looking for in Rodrgiuez. He has tremendous athleticism, gets forward, attacks the opposing goal and registered nearly as many goals and assists as our two full backs combined.

That was enough to grab my attention. Then I started considering the other factors.

First of all, Sidibe would have cost less than half of what his Swiss counterpart figures to cost. That’s right, less than half. Which would have allowed for greater spending in other, more needed areas (which is always a factor with Wenger).

Second of all, defensively, he is a tireless stalwart who does it all. It’s not very often that you see a fullback so aggressive and capable of stifling attacks on his flank. Lille isn’t exactly a French powerhouse, but Sidibe became a powerhouse full back on the side regardless.

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Finally, what would have made this deal special is the fact that it wouldn’t have put anyone out of work. Arsenal have no reason to force out Monreal, which Rodriguez would certainly do. Sidibe would not have done that. He’s versatile enough to play either full back position as well as wide midfield (I can see Wenger trying that…). So, while he would have excellent cover, as he can fill in in the absence of Jenkinson and Debuchy, he wouldn’t have provided an internal fissure.

No drama, no risk, no excessive price tag. How many other ways can this guy look appealing?

But, Wenger dallied too long, as the full back is moving to Monaco, who will give him exposure. Next summer, Arsenal will be linked to him again, only he will cost what Ricardo Rodriguez costs now. Arsenal are going to need a fullback at some point and they could have solved everything here, but you know what they say, slow and steady rarely wins the race.

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Bring him on next year. Where that £12.7m could-have-been price tag will turn into what Ricardo Rodriguez is going to cost this year. Funny how that works.

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