French Clubs Circle around Arsenal Defender - Report

AS Monaco are planning to sign Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna, according to the Mail. The French Ligue 2 club, who are set for promotion to Ligue 1 in the summer, are likely to face opposition from Paris St Germain (PSG) in their attempts to sign the French international.

Sagna's contract expires in 2014 and the 30-year-old defender has stalled talks over an extension, claiming he feels "disrespected" at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger does have options in place in case Sagna decides to move on, with youngster Carl Jenkinson already a first team member and Aston Villa's Matthew Lowton linked to the club.

The Mirror has suggested Feyenoord's Daryl Janmaat could be an option as well, while Sochaux's defender, Sebastien Corchia, has already expressed an interest in a summer move.

Sagna has also been linked with a move to Serie A side Inter Milan, although that was back in November and little has emerged in the way of a connection between the Frenchman and the Giuseppe Meazza.

Koscielny on Defensive Partnership

Meanwhile, the Gunners' French centre-back, Laurent Koscielny, believes his partnership with German international Per Mertesacker is because of good on-field communication. The two defenders have played a key role in the north London club's recent revival and Mertesacker scored off a Koscielny assist at Fulham this weekend.

"Per is a very good player. He reads the game well and he is clever. He attacks the ball and wins headers whereas I go behind, can be quick and cope with the long balls. He is good technically so he is good for the defence. Per is calm on the pitch and he uses his experience. This helps me and helps the team," the Frenchman told the club's Web site.

Arsenal's 1-0 win at Craven Cottage keeps them in third, in the three-way race for the two remaining Champions League positions. The Gunners face Premier League champions-elect Manchester United on 28 April and will look to continue a streak that has seen them win five of the last six games.

Wenger leads Chelsea and Tottenham by one and two points respectively but both his London rivals have a game in hand. Spurs came back from a goal down to beat Manchester City 3-1 this weekend, while Chelsea were held to an exciting 2-2 draw at Anfield.