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Carl Jenkinson hails "excellent" centre-back Bacary Sagna

Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson hails the "excellent" performances of Bacary Sagna so far this season in an unfamiliar centre-back role.

Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson believes that Bacary Sagna's ability to provide effective cover at centre-back is a testament to the Frenchman's versatility.

Sagna was forced to move across to central defence in both of Arsenal's first two games of the season, as Laurent Koscielny was sent off and injured in successive matches.

The 30-year-old then started in the same position during last weekend's 3-1 win at Fulham, forming a solid partnership with Per Mertesacker to help the Gunners earn their first Premier League points of the campaign.

Jenkinson declared that Sagna has "impressed massively" in a new position during recent matches, while insisting that he feels confident with Sagna alongside him in a makeshift Gunners rearguard.

He told the club's official website: "Even during pre-season and at the start of the season, whenever he's played there he's been excellent.

"I enjoy playing with him when he is playing as the right-sided centre back. He's good in the air, he's quick, that's nice to have, and all-round he's a very capable defender. But everyone who's played centre half this season has done very well.

"Personally, I think Sagna has impressed massively in that position when he's played there. He's obviously a great right back as well."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger may choose to keep Sagna at centre-back for tonight's Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce, but Koscielny is back in the squad after recovering from a head wound.

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Arsenal's players celebrate their goal against Fenerbahce during their UEFA Champions League Play Off first leg match at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on August 21, 2013
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