Bacary Sagna Exclusive: Manchester City are on right track to win the treble

Sporting Post speaks with Bacary Sagna in the wake of Manchester City's crushing blow to Arsenal's title hopes this season. We cover a range of topics - including Sagna's reaction to the title showdown last night between his two former teams and how Arsenal still have a 'tiny chance' at EPL glory. The former right back also detailed how he thinks Arsenal shouldn't sign the heavily linked Wilfred Zaha, and how Tierney needs to stay and fight for this place in the squad.

Manchester City vs Arsenal reaction

Sporting Post: Arsenal went down 4-1 at City last night. What was the difference between the two sides?

Bacary Sagna: Manchester City were not under pressure. They have been the team chasing down Arsenal and at home they looked so confident. They played with a freedom and with the clarity of what they needed to do to win the game.

With Arsenal dropping points recently, it felt that there was uncertainty in their squad and it looks like they felt under pressure. So you had one team that looked totally free and one team that was not. This was not the Arsenal we have seen playing with freedom this season and showing their creativity and attacking ability. They found it difficult to find space and to be able to play the way they usually do.

SP: Do you think Arteta could have done anything differently? Would you have lined up in a different way or with different players?

BS: No, I don’t. This is the preferred lineup he's been using - apart from making changes when they’ve needed due to injuries.

I would not have done anything differently. When you’re faced with this Manchester City side, at the Etihad in the form they are – it’s difficult. Every team in the world would have had problems last night.

The mentality Manchester City showed, the consistency as well as the composure they displayed last night was very impressive. They were clinical. Pretty much with their first chance they scored. They managed to score in key moments at the beginning and end of the first half. The goal from Stones was pivotal. If Arsenal had managed to get to half-time only 1-0 down, they were still in the game, but to trail by two just two minutes before the break, was a huge mountain to climb. Credit to Manchester City.

They deserved to win last night and they created so many chances. Ramsdale had an amazing game and managed to keep the score down. There were three or four times he made crucial saves and the score would have been totally different but for him.

Arsenal need to move on. It doesn't mean Arsenal are a bad team, it doesn't take anything away from the amazing season they're having and they still have games for which they have to raise their heads.

Nobody knows if City will drop points because after all, this is the Premier League and you never know - Arsenal need to digest what has happened and then react and not to have any regrets in the remaining games. Arsenal shouldn’t be having doubts about the quality they have or the direction they are going in. While it’s difficult today, if you look at the bigger picture, they've been amazing.

SP: It wasn't quite the contest maybe that many hoped for. Were you disappointed at all with Arsenal, or do you just give huge credit to Manchester City?

BS: Arsenal struggled to find their usual level, due to the pressure Manchester City put them under. They couldn't hold the ball more than they usually like to. They lost crucial battles that ended up in goals, like with the first goal. But I’m not disappointed with Arsenal at all, because I know how good Manchester City are.

In the previous games (against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton) I was disappointed because they dropped points after leading and then couldn’t beat the team bottom of the League. I didn’t expect them to drop points in the last two games.

Yesterday, however, Manchester City were on a different level. We can't be so harsh with Arsenal. There was a gap last night and the way the Man City players projected themselves on the game was magnificent.

In two or three quick passes City regularly found themselves in front of the goal all too easily and maybe Arsenal should have tried to be a bit more direct - if I had to change something from their performance. However, Arsenal have been playing the same way since the start of the season and no one was complaining when it was working for them. Right now it feels the momentum is not with them.

“You can never afford to think you’ve won the game”

SP: Arsenal are the first Premier league leaders to go four consecutive games without a win since your Arsenal side in 2008. Did you see this coming?

BS: No, I didn't see it coming.

When I see the quality Arsenal had in the past games and they ended up with the three draws, you can't really understand it to be honest. In the opening half an hour against West Ham they were so dominant, you felt it was going to end up 5-0.

Yet suddenly you lose a bit of focus and feel a bit of a pressure and you end up making mistakes or conceding a penalty. You can never afford to think you’ve won the game, because no side gives up and you can't afford to think you’ll win a game by turning up, even if it’s a home against a ‘lesser’ side.

You need to put in so much effort and this is probably what happened because technically and physically they should have won those matches.

Yesterday Manchester City were so much better. Every single position was covered and every player had a top performance.

It was not like City had one or two players performing better than others. De Bruyne was man of the match of course, but players like Rodri and Gundogan were at a top level. They won their battles and duels all over the pitch. They were all comfortable with the ball. It’s difficult. Arsenal had to play one of the best teams in the world, in form, at home who are fighting for the title.

SP: It's now 12 Premier League victories in a row for Man City against Arsenal. It's an incredible record. What do you put this down to?

BS: Manchester City has top international players. Financially they are more powerful than Arsenal and it is easier for them to attract players. It seems like City are targeting players with experience and knowledge whereas Arsenal are still building their team and squad up.

We have clubs at a different stage including one that is already fully launched in Manchester City. Arsenal have had to relaunch. Let's not forget that two years ago, the scenario was totally different. This is why it’s not a negative situation. Yes, it’s disappointing but it’s not negative.

When you think about the global image of the club now, compared to when Wenger left it's day and night. Yes, Arsenal had a chance to be the champions this season, and still have a tiny chance, but you have to take a step back and realise it takes time to develop the team to be ready to be champions. It’s very promising for the future if everyone keeps their head up and if everyone keeps working really hard. I feel those within the game know that Arsenal are on the way to become one of the very top teams in Europe, in a short period of time.

“It could have been a totally different game against City”

SP: This time last year you predicted Arsenal could win the league within two years time and that seemed a really bold statement. Do you feel vindicated because they have come close and they have played so well this season?

BS: When this Arsenal side plays the Arsenal way with freedom, they are the best team in the league alongside Manchester City.

Let’s not also forget they had massive injuries at key moments. Looking back at the game between Arsenal and City at the Emirates, they are the only side in the League I saw controlling the game against City this season.

Arsenal deserve credit even if today, it could feel negative. The past month has been a shame because they were in this fantastic position. It could have been a totally different game against City if they had not let points slip in recent weeks and felt like City were right on them in the League. If they could have arrived into the game last night with three or four more points from the previous games, then I feel like yesterday would have been a different game with less pressure on Arsenal.

Knowing Manchester City had the two games in hand and a win would get them within two points of Arsenal put them under huge pressure.

Holding “physically suffered”

SP: A lot was made of Arsenal missing Saliba over the recent period. Do you think that he would have made a difference?

BS: It's not up to only one player to make a difference. Of course Saliba has a massive influence defensively and has been the best defensive player for the Gunners this season.

I would call it a blow because everyone would have loved to know what would have happened if he managed to stay injury free but it is part of football that you need to accept. We need to give some credit to Holding, who admittedly, like many of the Arsenal players, didn't have the best game yesterday but like all of the guys he had to step up in a key moment.

Holding has not been used to playing and has had to deal with the pressure. Yesterday was difficult because he was facing the best striker in the world. Overall he is doing well. He's been consistent. I didn't see him shirking responsibility yesterday and he was good on the ball, but he physically suffered a bit yesterday. It goes without saying that Saliba has had more Premier League games this season. Whenever you play games, you get better and better. If you don't play and you have to step in, you still have to show up and Rob Holding has done so.

I still feel positive about this Arsenal side for the future because all of them are young. The season is not over, they still have games to play and you never know. I don't see Manchester City slipping now, but you never know with the Premier League.

SP: Arsenal now have Chelsea at home, then Newcastle away, Brighton at home, Nottingham Forest away, and Wolves at home. Arteta was asked after the game if he thought Arsenal would have to be perfect now to have any chance of winning the Premier League. Do you agree? And do you think Arsenal could win all these five games?

BS: Arsenal could go and win the five games. I feel they will beat Chelsea for sure. Chelsea are having a terrible time. And you know, it just takes one win for Arsenal and one slip up from City for the title race to be back on. So you never know.

SP: Arsenal will be back in the Champions League next season. Can we underestimate just how important that is when you're trying to attract players?

BS: Players want to play in the Champions League. For many players it's very important. It’s a massive way to attract players because everyone wants to be part of the best games in the world and everyone is looking forward to the Champions League.

Every single team plays all year long for the right to play in the Champions League and financially we know how important it is. The money it brings the clubs can help make the team stronger. It’s hugely important.

SP: Wilfred Zaha is always linked with Arsenal. He’s out of contract in the summer. Is a move to Arsenal one that makes sense in your eyes?

BS: I don’t. He’s 30 years old and whilst I love the player a lot and have always been a fan, Arsenal need to be focusing on signing players around 23 or 24 years old. There was a time when they were signing players even younger at 20, which is too young, but 23/24 is the perfect age they should be recruiting quality players at.

SP: Is there another player you’d like to see the club sign?

BS: I’m sure they will be looking around for talented players to sign. We’ve seen Arsenal make a number of good recruitments recently, and I’m sure they’ll continue to do so.

One player I really like is Sacha Boey, the right back at Galatasaray. I think he would fit Arsenal perfectly. As a right back myself, I have to say I think he is amazing, I’m sure he is in the minds of many clubs to sign.

Tierney needs to fight to play

SP: It seems that Kieran Tierney may well leave the club given the situation he is in. What would be your advice to him?

BS: I wouldn't leave the club. He needs to fight to play and come back into the manager's plan. He is part of what's becoming one of the best clubs in England, so where is he going to go?

Of course you want to be able to play but sometimes you need to be out of your comfort zone, and he's out of his comfort zone now. So it's time to fight, not just leave and give up.

What's the point of going somewhere where you know that you're going to start no matter what, and you're going to play - you're not going to progress in that environment.

I had the same choice when I left Arsenal, because I was playing in a comfortable position. I could have stayed and yes, I was playing. But at some point, if you want to try and get better and you want to challenge yourself, you need to be out of your comfort zone.

Zinechenko is giving him a challenge to fight for his place, so he has to train harder and get back to his very best level so he gets his opportunity and then he has to take it. If he does that he won’t be spending so much time on the bench.

SP: If Arsenal do come second now as seems likely, what would be your analysis of the season and how do you think they will fare next season?

BS: They have solid foundations now. It's only going to continue to be positive for the club.

They will attract more players because they are back to competing with the best. Financially, I think they're in a good situation and they can attract good players.

Two years ago it was difficult to attract certain players, because the momentum was not right. Now, I feel almost anyone will sign because they know they play nice football with a young squad and the next four or five years look great. The fact that they've been on the top of the table for so long is a mark of quality. They have an amazing coach and whilst they can be down from last night the bigger picture if they’ve made tremendous progress.

Now they need to focus on the next games and force Man City to win their games. Arsenal almost become the ones chasing now, so maybe it will give them a different focus now and perhaps they can play with more composure.

I see more of Pep’s influence in Arteta

SP: When you look at Mikel Arteta, do you see more Wenger influence or Pep influence in him?

BS: I see Pep’s influence more. For example the way he is always talking to the assistant, talking tactics, always trying to readapt during the game. Pep has been a huge influence on him.

Guardiola knew he had to stop Martinelli and Saka

SP: We saw the ability for Pep Guardiola to bring in different players last night as he went to four at the back. What did Pep show us about his tactics and ability to rotate?

BS: Pep is clever. He knew that to be able to control the game he needed to stop the wingers for Arsenal. He needed to stop Martinelli and Saka from playing.

So playing with full backs yesterday made sense to me because Martinelli and Saka are the most creative players who make space and want to get one against one, so Pep knew he had to control it.

If you look at the beginning of the season, if you stop those two from playing, you have a big chance of stopping Arsenal from having much of an attacking threat. And yesterday it was difficult for the two of them, because every time they had the ball they had the fullback and someone else coming back to cover.

Manchester City were working on this and it made sense for me yesterday to play with four defenders because you don't want to give Martinelli and Saka space otherwise you expose yourself.

SP: Did Kevin De Bruyne prove once again he's still the one of the best in his position?

BS: De Bruyne is so special! I enjoy seeing him play now as a fan because I was playing with him. Of course I was aware of his quality but as a fan it’s wonderful.

He respects the game and the efforts he makes for others to shine around him as well as his technical ability and his driving force is so impressive.

He understands football perfectly. When you have to go one on one and when you have to pass the ball at the right time. He is the best in his position in the world for sure.

When you watch him play, football seems very easy and each choice he makes is perfect. He makes the right decision at the right time. Like on the first goal, he understood perfectly that Haaland will play the pass and he can think ahead and that makes him the best talent.

Manchester City are on the “the right track” to win the treble

SP: Do you see Manchester City going on to win the Treble?

BS: They look like they’re on the right track! Last night showed any team in the world will have suffered playing against them because every City player was on the front foot. Everyone was amazing with the ball. Jack Grealish in particular was amazing – his technical touch was excellent and he never loses the ball.

Every player seems to understand what their task is.

The defence was fantastic and composed. In the midfield, Rodri and Gundogan were playing Tika taka football. They are masters in the middle. They do not lose the ball. I was watching them yesterday, the way they control the ball is insane.

SP: Who would you say has been the standout player this season for Manchester City? Is it Haaland or is that too obvious?

BS: I have to give huge credit to Rodri. You cannot underestimate the importance of his role in the middle and what he does - battling for every single ball and contributing both offensively and defensively.

He is comfortable with the ball and it feels like he is never under pressure. He always knows when to make the foul at the right time, without getting a yellow card – he is very smart.

You need one of these players in every team to keep the balance of the team. He’s also occasionally scoring amazing, and important, goals. If I had to pick one player to highlight it would be him. He's not shining like others because he doesn't score all the goals, or get all the assists. But to keep the balance of the team, I think he is the most important.

SP: Will City go on to win the title? What chance do Arsenal have?

BS: I don’t see Man City slipping up, but you never know in football. I look in particular to the away game at Brighton and that is a difficult fixture. In the Premier League, any team can drop points against another.

Arsenal need to play without thinking now. Arsenal can have no regrets, they need to be ready to pounce if City do drop points.

SP: Man City have been heavily linked with the Napoli defender Kim Min Jae, do you think that is a transfer that may happen?

BS: I don’t see Manchester City going for him. Also don’t forget Napoli are about to be the Italian Champions so I don’t see them letting him go. I don’t think that is a transfer that is going to happen.

SP: What have you made of what’s going on elsewhere in the League, with Chelsea and then with the relegation battle in the Premier League?

BS: It’s crazy what is happening at Chelsea. They keep finding new lows. They are in a very bad shape. They are fortunate they are not a few points below where they are, or they would be in danger of being in a relegation battle - which is extraordinary.

There are going to be some big teams going down this year, like Leicester or Everton. West Ham are a big club and have only just recently edged towards safety. The pressure on the clubs when you are fighting relegation is like nothing else. It will be fascinating the final few weeks.

SP: How do you reflect having been retired a few years now on the differences in what’s required of defenders?

BS: The game is so much more tactical now! When I played, the goalkeeper was kicking the ball towards me and I was jumping at it to win a header. Now no coach will accept that - they want to pass the ball out.

Everyone's trying to play more and be more comfortable with the ball and it's a different football than before.

I don’t feel that defenders had to be as technical as they are now. You didn’t need to be so composed, because you had to win duels and you had to get the ball to the player that was using the ball perfectly.

Now, as a defender, you need to not only be good defensively but also can also be a playmaker because the goal keeper is not going to just kick the ball anywhere, so you have to be comfortable playing. It is a massive change.

CF Montreal

SP: CF Montreal are bottom of the Eastern Conference at the moment, despite coming third last season. What has not gone quite right for them yet this season?

BS: I think the strategy is wrong. It's nice to focus on young kids, but at some point, you cannot line up with all the kids at the same time. It just doesn't work this way. You can have kids with quality but you can't buy experience - knowing how to play and behave in the key moments.

I want to see young players have a chance and let them play them and maybe sell them in the future if that’s the strategy, but first you need to find stability. And you need to include the young lads slowly. You cannot just thrust them into the starting line up like the way it appears they’ve done so.

The MLS is getting better and better. You have good players in MLS that could play in the best leagues in Europe. What's stopping them from playing can simply be down to their passport, but the level of the players is very good. So basically you are playing kids against this level of player. It’s not possible to win enough matches with this strategy.

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