Bacary Sagna insists Arsenal fans influenced Arsene Wenger’s departure
Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Bacary Sagna has indicated that the treatment of Arsene Wenger from the Gunners supporters eventually urged him to part ways with the north London side. The French tactician announced the decision to re-sign from the head coach role after 22 years at the helm last season and Sagna believes the criticism from the faithful made the decision inevitable.
In a report covered by Sport Witness, Sagna said: “I was expecting it. Looking at how the fans had turned on him, what came next was logical. I don’t think he could have continued in that context. It’s quite a shame. Leaving like that after all he brought to the club. He changed the image of English football. Not everything can always go perfectly. He had good moments with Arsenal. Always tried to keep a certain ethic in order to play and help develop youngsters, especially English. He’s criticised when he’s trying to help football.”
Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Bacary Sagna has indicated that the treatment of Arsene Wenger from the Gunners supporters eventually urged him to part ways with the north London side. The French tactician announced the decision to re-sign from the head coach role after 22 years at the helm last season and Sagna believes the criticism from the faithful made the decision inevitable.
In a report covered by Sport Witness, Sagna said: “I was expecting it. Looking at how the fans had turned on him, what came next was logical. I don’t think he could have continued in that context. It’s quite a shame. Leaving like that after all he brought to the club. He changed the image of English football. Not everything can always go perfectly. He had good moments with Arsenal. Always tried to keep a certain ethic in order to play and help develop youngsters, especially English. He’s criticised when he’s trying to help football.”
“Sagna spent seven seasons with Arsenal between 2007 and 2014 and during this period,“he transformed into one of the leading right-backs in the game. However, after winning “just one FA Cup,“ with the Gunners, the Frenchman opted to pursue a bigger challenge with Manchester City but things did not go as planned as he managed to only hold the League Cup during his three seasons with them.
Thereafter, the veteran defender took up the Serie A challenge with Italian minnows Benevento, who were relegated without much fight during the previous campaign, and he is presently with MLS club Montreal Impact whom he joined under the recommendation of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. Sagna has since featured for the Canadian-based club on four occasions whilst contributing a solitary goal during the convincing 3-0 triumph over high-flying New York Red Bulls earlier this month.
Didier Deschamps heaps praise on France’s defensive duo
France head coach Didier Deschamps has lavished praised on Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez after the pair played fundamental roles during Les Bleus’ World Cup triumph. Neither Pavard nor Hernandez were guaranteed of a starting role in the lead up to the global tournament but they managed to excel after being backed by Deschamps.
Speaking to Kicker, the France boss acknowledged that the duo were able to stabilise the defence from the full-back positions and reserved special praise for Stuttgart’s Pavard, he said: “Despite their former status and some inexperience at this level, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas [Hernandez] were brilliant and stabilised the defence.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has lavished praised on Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez after the pair played fundamental roles during Les Bleus’ World Cup triumph. Neither Pavard nor Hernandez were guaranteed of a starting role in the lead up to the global tournament but they managed to excel after being backed by Deschamps.
Speaking to Kicker, the France boss acknowledged that the duo were able to stabilise the defence from the full-back positions and reserved special praise for Stuttgart’s Pavard, he said: “Despite their former status and some inexperience at this level, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas [Hernandez] were brilliant and stabilised the defence.
“These two fighters made a big difference. Benjamin has become a star and he deserves it. He’s not so media-focused. He’s very friendly, appreciated by his teammates, and has an incredible amount of self-confidence.He once said to me: ‘I’m not afraid of anyone!’ So I told him: ‘You can think that, but never say it to the media.’”
Since the conclusion of the World Cup, Pavard has been linked with several high profile clubs with Bayern Munich presently said to be leading the race. Joshua Kimmich has done magnificently well for the German champions in the right-back spot but new manager Niko Kovac may consider playing him further up the field, should Pavard make the switch to the Allianz Arena.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a possible approach for the Stuttgart defender but strengthening the right-back position may not seem a priority with Kieran Trippier, Serge Aurier and Kyle Walker-Peters capable of slotting into the role. Spurs have yet to make a signing during the ongoing transfer window but things are expected to change in the coming weeks with the focus lying on adding more depth to the attack ahead of 2018/19 campaign.