Arsenal Prepare Bid for Lukasz Piszczek as Sagna Replacement - Report

Arsenal are preparing a bid for Borussia Dortmund right-back Lukasz Piszczek in the summer to cover for Bacary Sagna, according to the Metro.

The Pole has been a rock in defence for the German club and is not being scouted by the Gunners who are yet to get any confirmation on Sagna's contract situation.

The 30-year-old is yet to sign an extension on his current contract, which expires at the end of this season and Arsene Wenger is looking at alternatives before the start of the upcoming season.

The 28-year-old's career at Dortmund this season has been blighted by injuries, making only 12 appearances in the league thus far.

However, his performance in the last two years in the league and Europe proves that he is among the best talents around in the right-back role and Arsenal will be looking to swoop for his signature amid interest from a lot of other clubs.

The defender is valued at £7m and is likely to leave the club in the summer in search for greener pastures, with Dortmund failing to compete with Bayern Munich owing to a mass exodus of players into enemy terrritory.

The likes of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski have already made the move, thus increasing the gulf of talent between the two teams.

Piszczek, who is known for his barging runs forward, will increase Arsenal's potency going forward and allow them to stretch the game on the flanks, something which Sagna has not been able to do on a consistent basis.

Meanwhile, the Gunners take on Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday in what will be Arsene Wenger's 1000th game in charge of the north London club.

The Frenchman has transformed the club ever since he joined in 1996 and in spite of spending nine years without a trophy, is still the most successful manager in Arsenal's history.

A win here for the Gunners will close the gap on Chelsea to one point, something which they can surmount against Swansea in midweek at the Emirates.