Sagna: Defensive issue

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Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna admits that Arsene Wenger's side need to work on their defending of corners and free kicks.

The Gunners recently conceded goals from corners in the 1-0 loss to Fulham and the 2-1 home defeat to Premier League newcomers Hull.

Address

Hull striker Daniel Cousin easily rose above Arsenal captain William Gallas to head home over a static defence in that game and Sagna insists they need to address the issue.

"It's up to us to sort that out," he said. "We learned a lot last year and we still have a lot to learn."

Mirrored

Arsenal's problems are mirrored by the France team, with 16 of their last 27 goals conceded from free-kicks, corners or penalties.

Sagna could line up for Les Bleus in the World Cup qualifier against Romania on Saturday.

France have already conceded four goals in their opening two games against Serbia and Austria, with all of them as a result of either corners or free kicks.

"It's a bit of a handicap," said Sagna. "Some days it works for you and some days it doesn't.

"That is what is crazy about football, it's not always domination that pays. We are learning that.

"Every team at one time or another has problems on free kicks. Arsenal went through a bad patch, but we've all made an effort to concentrate more and to be attentive."