Bacary Sagna profile
Name
Bacary Sagna
Born
February 14, 1983
Sens, France
Position
Defender
Squad Number
3
Previous Club(s)
Auxerre
Joined Arsenal
July 12, 2007
Arsenal Debut
Fulham (h)
Premier League
July 12, 2007
Won 2-1
First Arsenal Goal
Chelsea (a)
Premier League
March 23, 2008
Lost 2-1
Bacary has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent full-backs.
The affable Frenchman took to English football like a duck to water when he arrived in the summer of 2007. Not for him the adaptation period that even luminaries like Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry needed. No, Bacary looked the part from day one.
First and foremost he has proved himself to be an exemplary defender. His positional awareness, tackling ability and aerial strength has strengthened Arsenal's right side. Few wingers get the better of him.
But Bacary has also impressed on the front foot. Neat and tidy in possession, his willingness to overlap gives Arsenal the width they need to stretch defences.
His debut season was always likely to be a tough act to follow but the French right back was as solid as ever in 2008/09. It’s hard to think of a mistake he made and the overriding image of Bacary is his spectacular overhead clearance which denied Aston Villa a certain goal on Boxing Day.
He will be an integral part of Arsenal’s back four this season and the same could be said of the French national side. Widely seen as the long-term successor to Willy Sagnol, Bacary will be hoping to play his part at the 2010 World Cup – if France get there.
MY YEAR
October
Bacary assisted three Arsenal goals in October, and all of them were scored by Robin van Persie. It was the Frenchman who crossed for Robin to open the scoring against West Ham and he found Van Persie for both of the Dutchman's goals in the 3-0 win over Spurs. The defender admitted to Arsenal TV Online that the team "switched off" in the 1-1 draw against Alkmaar in the Champions League.
September
Bacary started all three of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures in September and was introduced as a substitute in the Champions League match against Standard Liege.
August
Bacary started four of Arsenal's five matches in August, missing out on the home win over Portsmouth. The French defender told Arsenal TV Online that he believes the team is stronger than last season and there is no reason why the Gunners can't reach the Champions League Final this term.
3. Bacary Sagna - Full Arsenal Record
| Prem Lge | Europe | FA Cup | Lge Cup | C. Shield | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl | Ap | Gl |
| 2007-2008 | 29 | 1 | 7+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38+2 | 1 |
| 2008-2009 | 34+1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48+1 | 0 |
| 2009-2010 | 8+1 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11+2 | 0 |
| Totals | 71+2 | 1 | 19+2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 97+5 | 1 |
Key:
- Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
- C. Shield = Community Shield
- Europe = UEFA Champions League
- Ap = Appearances
- FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
- Gl = Goals Scored
- Lge Cup = Carling Cup
Bacary Sagna - News
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Fri, Nov 6, 2009
Fantasy battles: Sagna picks his winners -
Thu, Nov 5, 2009
How much do you know about Bacary Sagna? -
Mon, Nov 2, 2009
Sagna: What really happened on the third goal -
Fri, Oct 23, 2009
Sagna - We can't afford to switch off again -
Wed, Oct 21, 2009
Sagna - We switched off for AZ’s equaliser -
Mon, Sep 28, 2009
TV Online: Watch Sagna's press conference -
Fri, Sep 25, 2009
TV Online: Sagna goes under the 'Spotlight' -
Mon, Sep 21, 2009
TV Online: The Perfect Match - Bacary Sagna -
Thu, Aug 27, 2009
TV Online: Vermaelen, Sagna and Song -
Wed, Aug 19, 2009
TV Online: Sagna post-Celtic exclusive
