"At times this season..." - Bacary Sagna says one Arsenal player needs to leave the Emirates

Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna believes one current Gunners first team player should leave the club on loan this summer.

Arsenal are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, with 11 games to play.

They take on Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, meanwhile, with a win ensuring qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals.

Three players - Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard - have scored at least 10 goals in the league this season, with Saka on nine assists.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been strong defensively, with William Saliba, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes playing in all 27 games. Saliba and Gabriel have started every game.

Meanwhile, only Newcastle (18) have conceded fewer than the 25 goals the Gunners have let in this season.

But one player who has had not had the game time he would have likely - largely due to injury - is midfielder Emile Smith Rowe. Sagna believes he should depart the club on loan.

Sagna advises Arsenal star to leave

Smith Rowe was a key player throughout most of the previous two campaigns until Mikel Arteta, and netted 10 goals in the Premier League last season.

But he suffered a groin injury in September which required surgery, and the 22-year-old missed three months of action.

He made his comeback off the bench in the 3-0 FA Cup third round victory over Oxford in January, but then dealt with a setback as he continued his return to full fitness.

Smith Rowe has been on the bench for each of Arsenal's last six fixtures, making three substitute appearances in that time.

And Sagna believes the England international should depart the Emirates Stadium on a temporary basis this summer in search of more regular game time.

He told The Games Cabin: "He's been injured at times this season, but even when he's fit I don't believe he would be part of Arsenal's starting XI.

"However, he's a good player and a loan move may be the most beneficial thing for him at the moment.

"It will give him some time to play and he won't have to leave the club for good, so a loan move would be a wise option for him."

Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Mikel Arteta, Transfers

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.