Why Atsuto Uchida would be the ideal full back for Arsenal

Arsenal find themselves in a bit of a pickle. With contract talks appearing to not be progressing with Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson not being at the required level, it means Arsene Wenger could soon be in need of a new right back.

In fact Sagna’s contract expires at the end of the season and therefore can talk to prospective new clubs from January. He is reportedly wanted and set to be offered lucrative offers from the mega rich duo from his homeland, PSG and Monaco as well as other clubs showing an interest.

Atsuto Uchida was linked with a move to Arsenal last summer with the Daily Star reporting he was a potential replacement for Sagna, but should Arsenal go back in for the Schalke full-back?

The Japan international is still young at 25 but is now in his fourth season in the Bundesliga after signing for Schalke in the summer of 2010 from J-League side Kashima Antlers. He would come with experience in both the World Cup, assuming he goes to Brazil with Japan this summer, and in the Champions League.

Uchida has played in 15 times in the Bundesliga this term and has won 56% of the 61 tackles he has contested. This is only 2% less than Sagna however in 14 Premier League games Sagna has only contested 26 tackles, far less than Uchida. Jenkinson has also won 1% more of his tackles than Uchida but in nine games has only attempted 14.

This data shows that even when contesting a greater number of tackles than his Arsenal counterparts Uchida is on a par with Sagna and Jenkinson and would perhaps be a safer defensive option.

In the Champions League his tackling is even better with 60% of 30 over six group stage matches won. His performances in Europe’s most prestigious competition lead to his team progressing to the last 16 where they will face Real Madrid.

The Japan international also likes to get forward from full back and join in the attack. With a 79% overall pass completion he can distribute the ball well. 11 key passes have been made in 15 outings with two resulting in an assist. He has also won a massive 81% of take-ons this season.

While Schalke may not be replicating the form that saw them qualify for the Champions League last season (they are currently mid-table in the Bundesliga) Uchida is continuing his fine form from 2012/13.

Last term he achieved a Squawka Performance Score of 371, which made him the fifth best defender at the club. He also won a massive 83% of the tackles he contested during the season while making 57 interceptions, 54 clearances and 10 blocks.

In the Champions League this season this only improves with 82% of pass completed and 10 key passes made in just six group matches.

Despite his relatively young age Uchida would join the Gunners with a wealth of experience in one of Europe’s top leagues as well as the Champions League.

He would certainly be an upgrade on Jenkinson who has rarely lived up to his initial promise since signing from Charlton Atheltic. So if Sagna does stay Uchida would be a much better back up to the France international than Jenkinson and if Sagna does move away from the Emirates then the Japan international would be a more than adequate replacement.