Sagna signs; Read the Auxerre fans’ view
938 comments July 12th, 2007
C’est fait. After completing negotiations with Auxerre late last night, Bacary Sagna has been registered as an Arsenal player, and will wear the number three. In order to find out a bit more about our new right-back, I asked the good folk of Aja-Net.com, an Auxerre forum, for their opinions. A few of the most useful(/least difficult to translate) are listed below:
- “Bak” (his nickname) is a very good player, who plays on the right (he played a few times on the left, but he’s better on the right). He is strong, a very good defender, and also can sometimes give good crosses.
- He is a great “espoir” in France, probably the future Sagnol in the French team.
I think he’s better than Chimbonda, but he is quite young, so maybe next year, he’ll be far better. - I think Eboue is better offensively, but Sagna is definitely better defensively.Â
- Maybe Eboue will be Wenger’s first choice, but Arsenal has a lot of matches to play, with the Premier League, the Champions League, the Cup, and the League Cup. With 60 matches or more, Sagna will have to play several.
- He knows that in less than one year, there will be the European Championships.  He was recently called in French Team, and he is taking a risk by moving to England now.
- But he is really strong, and if he adapts to English football style, he may become Wenger’s first choice in November or December.
The general feeling is that Sagna was without doubt their best player, much more accomplished than Tottenham new-boy Kaboul, and that he now has a chance to become France’s regular right-back.
Arsene is pleased to have finally got his man, saying:
“We are delighted to have signed Bacary Sagna. He is a very capable defender and has played consistently well for Auxerre in recent seasons. He plays mainly at right back, but can also play along the defence or in midfield. He is strong, quick and enjoys defending but also has a good offensive side to his game. He has a fighting spirit and will be a very good addition to our squad.”
Sagna, meanwhile, will be linking up with plenty of old friends:
“It is great to be joining Arsenal and I’m excited to be playing alongside many great players. I know Abou Diaby from our time together at Auxerre and also Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini from the French Under-21 team. Also Arsène Wenger is a major reason why I have signed for Arsenal. He is an excellent manager with a fantastic record and I am really looking forward to working with him. I’m also looking forward to playing at Emirates Stadium and winning trophies for the Club and all the supporters.”
The fee, as reported here this morning, could rise to £7.5m.
I’m really pleased. If we add a winger to the additions of Fabianski, Eduardo, and now Sagna, we’ll have strengthened in all the right areas.