Tag Archives: Sagna

Sagna makes title claim

Posted on by
Reply

Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal can challenge for the Premier League title this season, but only if they can maintain a level of consistency which has deserted the Gunners (6/1 Outright Premier League Winners) in recent seasons.

The north London club have yet to win any silverware since their FA Cup success over Manchester United in 2005, failing to capitalise on a number of golden opportunities since that time.

Last year Arsenal finished 11 points off eventually winners Chelsea but at times looked as though they would challenge for the title, even topping the league in February.

However, once again the Gunners form dipped coming into the run-in and back-to-back defeats to Manchester United and Chelsea eventually cost them.

While Arsenal fans having been calling on manager Arsene Wenger to improve his side’s strength in depth in a bid to compete on the domestic and European fronts, so far the Frenchman has only brought in two new players.

With the Gunners (4/7 to finish in the top four) having lost three centre-halfs during the summer, with just one coming in, there might a number of Arsenal fans worried that problems at the back could cost them dear again.

Those doubters wouldn’t have been impressed in the club’s 6-5 friendly win over Legia Warsaw, a game which saw a near full strength side concede a number of goals from set pieces.

However, despite signs that Arsenal’s defensive frailties have yet to be dealt with Sagna is confident he and his team mates will be serious title contenders this season.

“Yes we can win it. I’m 100 per cent confident,” declared the Frenchman.

“It will be down to us now. We have a good team and some new players. We have an amazing team and play good football. We just need to be more consistent and to be a bit more focused on the pitch.”

The full-back went on to say that while he expected Manchester City (5/1 Outright Winners) to join the likes of Chelsea (13/8), Manchester United (12/5) and Liverpool (12/1) in challenging for the title, he feels that they cannot count on their spending power equalling success.

“They have bought a lot of good players and they will be hard to beat but we are still Arsenal, we play good football and just want to continue to play as we are now,” he added.

“Real Madrid [also spent money on] lots of good players but they couldn?t win anything last year so it’s down to the game we play on the pitch.”

Arsenal will be hopeful their youthful looking squad can finally do the business this season, especially after Cesc Fabregas’ decision to stay on for at least another season.

However, the Gunners could be without their captain, along with striker Robin van Persie, for the first game of the season as they head to Anfield looking to record a fourth straight victory over Liverpool (5/4 to beat the Gunners) in all competitions.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Sagna targets more silverware

Posted on by
Reply

Bacray Sagna believes Arsenal must win some silverware this season if the players are to convince manager Arsene Wenger to stay with the Gunners (7/1 to be FA Cup winners).

The north London outfit haven’t lifted any silverware since they beat Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup final.

Since then the Gunners have contested a Champions League final, numerous semi-finals and come within a few points of winning the Premier League.

However, the trophy cabinet at the Emirates Stadium still awaits its first addition since the club made the short move from Highbury to their new surroundings four years ago.

Wenger had enjoyed a hugely successful spell as Arsenal manager up until recently, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Now though the Frenchman is coming under increasing pressure to deliver some silverware, with some sections of the Arsenal fan base going as far to call for the manager’s head in the wake of their barren spell.

Wenger has just one year left on his current contract and there is speculation he will walk away from Arsenal (7/1 Premier League winners) should he fail to guide the Gunners to any trophies this year.

Sagna has now called on his team mates to deliver this season, telling them that they must win some silverware if they want to keep Wenger at the club.

“I don’t need to say how important the boss is to Arsenal,” said the full-back.

“He has done great work at Arsenal and we want to win things for him. Everything he has given us we need to give him back.

“That is what we will try to do and it would be great to win something.

“I don’t know if it will be his last season at Arsenal. We just want to play and give back the trust he gave us.

“The contract situation is not a concern. Our job is on the pitch.”

While the Gunners are once again likely to challenge for top honours they are in danger of being overtaken by Manchester City and Tottenham.

So far Wenger has only brought in striker Marouane Chamakh and defender Laurent Koscielny to strengthen his side, despite calls from supporters to bring in a new goalkeeper and anther defender and striker.

The Gunners lack of strength in depth could already be exposed before a ball has been kicked with Nicklas Bendtner ruled out for the first few weeks, while Robin van Persie is also unlikely to feature in the first game against Liverpool (5/4 to beat the Gunners).

That leaves just Chamakh and Carlos Vela as the only available first team strikers for the trip to Anfield.

Not only has Wenger got concerns over his squad to deal with but he is also fighting hard to keep Cesc Fabregas at the club, the midfielder having been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.