1 Toulouse defender Serge Aurier (left) is being lined up by Arsenal to replace Bacary Sagna

Arsenal fans, relax. If reliable right-back Bacary Sagna does leave the Emirates, then Toulouse and Ivory Coast ace Serge Aurier is ready to replace him. The 21-year-old has already said you can’t say “no” to Arsenal, so Whoscored.com reveal why Arsene Wenger is keen…

Despite reports that Arsenal are set to offer Sagna a bumper new contract to convince him to stay, the club have been continuously linked with a move for Aurier. The defensive powerhouse has won his fair share of admirers at Toulouse in recent seasons and the self-confessed Arsenal fan would undoubtedly make an astute acquisition for the Gunners.

His 7.43 WhoScored.com rating this campaign is at its highest for the last five seasons and is the best of every Toulouse player. More pertinently, however, is that the figure is better than Sagna’s 7.2 rating this term, the player he is expected to replace in north London.

At the back, Aurier has outperformed the Arsenal man, though in part that will be down to Toulouse having to defend more than Arsenal. Furthermore, 18 of Aurier’s 34 league appearances over the 2013/14 Ligue 1 campaign came at centre-back compared to three of Sagna’s 35, which would contribute to the former’s stats appearing better than the latter’s.

Nevertheless, Aurier averaged more tackles (2.8) and interceptions per game (2.2) than Sagna (1.7 and 1.5, respectively), highlighting his defensive qualities. From an attacking perspective, the Ivory Coast international has excelled. Aurier directly contributed to 12 of Toulouse’s 46 league goals this term (six goals, six assists), a far superior return than Sagna (one goal, two assists).

The 21-year-old’s capability to score and provide for his team-mates means his direct contribution was the best of all defenders in Europe’s top five leagues – Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga, Premier League – this season. Aurier also averaged more successful dribbles per game (1.4) than Sagna (0.2), so he would offer Arsenal a further attacking outlet that can be utilised.

With manager Arsene Wenger often using a 4-2-3-1, and his attacking midfielders preferring to cut inside, Aurier could capitalise on the extra space offered as he bombs forward on the right. Granted, Toulouse will be loathe to losing their prized asset, but after a poor season, it’s likely they will struggle to hold onto the young defender.

And it goes without saying that Toulouse’s loss should be Arsenal’s gain. Aurier has consistently displayed his defensive and attacking quality in France, but it’s fair to say he has outgrown Ligue 1. At such a young age as well, there is no reason to suggest that he won’t improve with time.

Wenger has made a habit of moulding rough diamonds into stars and the potential to do similar with Aurier is there for all to see. The Ivorian boasts the physical attributes to succeed in England’s top tier, while his strengths like his key passes, dribbling, tackling and concentration on WhoScored.com, highlight how impressive a performer he is both at the back and when attacking.

While Arsenal fans will be gutted to see the back of Sagna, should he depart the Emirates, replacing him with Aurier will more than make up for the loss.

For more stats on Toulouse’s Serge Aurier, click here to view his WhoScored.com profile page