Former Defender's Divided Loyalties: Sagna Backs Arsenal for Title Glory
Bacary Sagna, the former Arsenal and Manchester City defender, has openly expressed his heartfelt desire to see Arsenal clinch the Premier League title this season, despite his professional history with both clubs. In a candid interview, Sagna revealed that while he holds immense respect for Manchester City, his emotional ties lean toward Arsenal, where he spent seven formative years of his career.
The Tight Title Race and Arsenal's Resilience
The battle for the Premier League crown is poised to go down to the wire, following a recent stumble by Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side. Previously appearing to coast toward the championship, Arsenal's momentum was disrupted when Manchester City scored two late goals against Liverpool last month, narrowing the gap. Subsequent draws at Brentford and Wolves have reduced Arsenal's lead to just five points, with City holding a game in hand.
However, Arsenal demonstrated their resilience with a commanding 4-1 victory in the North London derby last weekend, a performance that Sagna believes sent a strong message to their rivals. "I think yesterday was a message that Arsenal sent to the rest of the Premier League; 'yes, of course we are dropping points, but we are not giving up'," Sagna remarked. He praised the team's spirit and leadership, highlighting their ability to deliver under pressure.
Arteta's Leadership and Human Qualities
Sagna, who made 213 Premier League appearances for Arsenal after joining from Auxerre in 2007, reserved special praise for manager Mikel Arteta. "Mikel Arteta is the man for the situation Arsenal are in right now," he stated. Reflecting on Arsenal's consistent second-place finishes over the past three years, Sagna emphasized the difficulty of maintaining such high standards in the Premier League.
He attributed Arsenal's current strength to Arteta's strategic team-building alongside technical director Edu. "Man City, for those first couple of seasons, were out of reach, due to the depth of their squad. Arsenal have been able to build up slowly and add depth with every transfer window, and this is why they're now in the position they're in," Sagna explained. He noted that the squad now boasts quality cover in every position, a significant improvement from past seasons where injuries could derail their campaign.
Sagna also highlighted Arteta's personal attributes, saying, "I'm praying for him to win the league this year, honestly. He deserves it because of the way he treats people. He treats people equally and gives people opportunities. Whether it's on or off the pitch, he gives people the chance to bring something else to the game. He has a human side that not many people have."
Sagna's Emotional Connection to Arsenal
Despite his stint at Manchester City, where he moved on a free transfer after winning the FA Cup with Arsenal, Sagna's heart remains with the Gunners. "I have a lot of love and respect for both clubs. Of course, I am more Arsenal orientated, because I played there for seven years," he shared. He recounted personal milestones, such as his children being born during his time at Arsenal and the club's support after the loss of his brother, describing them as "like a family."
When pressed to choose a title winner, Sagna leaned toward Arsenal. "If I had to choose one of them to win the league this season, I might go for Arsenal, because Man City have won it so many times over the last few years, and it won't change anything for them. So, I would like to see a change, and I would like to see Arsenal finally rewarded for a lot of hard work that's gone into the last few years," he said. He added that a title win would balance his loyalties to "55% Arsenal, 45% Man City."
As the season approaches its climax, Sagna's words underscore the intense emotions and high stakes involved in one of football's most thrilling title races, with Arsenal fans hoping his prayers are answered.
