Gunners’ Defender Focused On Taking Season ‘Game By Game’ & Expects Nasri Signing

July 9, 2008

Arsenal fullback Bacary Sagna gave an interview to French daily L’Equipé in which he spoke about resuming training after his ankle injury while also giving his views on the current uncertainty surrounding some of the Ashburton Grove stars.

Sagna, 25, seemed very confident that Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri would definitely be a summer capture for Arséne Wenger’s boys.

The PFA right-back of the year also touched on his first season in England including his goals for the upcoming Premier League season.

“Compared to our last season (3rd) where we had some regrets, we can expect better next season. Now, I do not think it is good to give a clear objective. We must remember the lessons of the past and take the matches one by one.

This is the best way to achieve a good season and I think this is the speech that the coach (Arsène Wenger) will say. What’s the point of planning ahead in March if you are not sure to be still in contention for the title this time?”

Bacary was questioned about the constant speculation concerning some of Arsenal’s most important players; one of whom is Emmanuel Adebayor.

“It is part of football (losing players)… We have also lost Mathieu Flamini who was an important player in the middle. It is a pity, but I am not worried at all. Samir (Nasri) should arrive soon and then there are also many young players who are knocking at the door. It may be a good opportunity to start in the ‘big time’. If Emmanuel does leave, it would be a great loss. But it hasn’t happened yet.”

At the end of the interview, Arsenal’s number one right back was quizzed about the signing of his new contract.

It (the contract) does not mean much. The evidence is that most players who are under contract. The important thing is to be especially powerful. The rest is fate. Everyone has one.

Athletic Sagna quickly rebuffed the claims that he’s leaving the club though, by enthusing.

No (I won’t leave)! Especially if we have a good season.

A very interesting interview with Sagna. It looks like a matter of days before Samir Nasri becomes an Arsenal player and Alex Hleb signs a 4-year deal with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona side.

One thing’s for sure, a fit Bacary Sagna can only mean a fantastic new season for Arsenal Football Club.

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88 Responses to “Gunners’ Defender Focused On Taking Season ‘Game By Game’ & Expects Nasri Signing”

  1. P- M Says:

    when will it end it was supposed to be before the euros

  2. joetodd Says:

    JOG ON!

  3. Gooner Chris Says:

    It will be done on Monday according to Nasri’s agent.

  4. Manuel Says:

    oh we’d had a few days without the ‘N’ word, but now its back.

    great.

  5. Gooner Chris Says:

    I’m passing on the info mate, thats all.

  6. Kevin Says:

    Gooner Chris

    So i have been hearing news that gilberto is being sold to panathanikos. so who do yuo think wenger is going to put in the midfield to fill the void.

  7. Gooner Chris Says:

    Hmmm, it seems that Amaury Bischoff’s name has cropped up just as Gilberto looks as if he’s about to leave. I feel Wenger will stick with Diaby, Denilson etc and not look for a replacement in the transfer market.

  8. Manuel Says:

    gilberto out, bitchoff in.

    farcical.

    what a joke. he isn’t even flamini’s replacement, he’s a replacement for another experienced first teamer.

    dear me.

  9. Gooner Chris Says:

    Like I said mate, I feel Wenger will stick to his guns and use Diaby or Denilson in the centre.

  10. hente Says:

    I don’t like what Sagna said, at least when all the fuzz is rumbling on. Or is it once again the media that makes it sound ‘wrong’?

    Actually Chris. In this story I hated most this comment from Sagna that you didn’t post.

    “It may be a good chance for them to make the step.”

    ..as speaking of Hleb & Ade

    To make a step.. higher than Arsenal?

  11. Manuel Says:

    i’d really like diaby to play in the centre. this is probably his make or break season. undoubtedly talented, but very inconsistent. still young, but it’s time for him to prove himself in the middle.

    if we sign bitchoff as replacement for gilberto/flamini i might just run to a corner and cry.

  12. Kevin Says:

    he will probably use diaby to partner cesc. And probably rosicky on the wing and nasri on the right. Upfront we wil have Rvp, and ade if he stays if not it’s a straight up dog fight between walcott and bendtner. The defence picks itself.

  13. dan Says:

    diaby and denislson are both pants and no where near good enough to be 1st team players. they wouldn’t get a country mile near our rivals 1st teams.

  14. Manuel Says:

    i agree kevin, i wouldn’t be surprised if arsene signed no one in replacement for adebayor. i think he’d throw bendtner in right at the deep end, and he’d have vela and theo as back ups.

    personally though i think walcott will play on the right wing as first choice ahead of nasri who will need time to settle in and adjust.

  15. AJ Says:

    If we dont buy a proper flamini or gilberto replacment then we are screwed. Look at United’s depth: Hargreaves, carrick fletcher and o’shea. And the scousers, barry, mascarenho, alonso, and everyone knows about the chavs depth. And who do we have for that holding role? diaby, bishcoff and denilson. simply brilliant i rekon we’ll win the league with that.

  16. Manuel Says:

    mind you, with rosicknote injured at the start of the season, ‘N’ will probably be starting anyway.

  17. dan Says:

    right will be wengers friend eboue, why is everyone except him leaving!!!!!

  18. dan(other) Says:

    agree w/ other dan, diaby, denilson, song, they have qualities but they just don’t seem mentally there on the pitch, so unsure of themselves, they afraid to tackle anything, not aggressive at all, that’s where flamini was brilliant, though he can be replaced. more youngsters need to be loaned out to championship for experience and growth. diaby should have been on loan to milwall the last three years.

  19. rebel gooner Says:

    bert was past it in arsenal terms, but do agree that we need an inforcer in the middle to protect the back four and give cesc some freedom to get forward

  20. Kevin Says:

    Manuel yep deep down most of us gooners realise that wenger isn’t the type to buy replacements. He has faith with our squad, and for that i truly respect him. I feel bendtner will get the role as main striker if ade leaves meaning RVP plays the second striker similar to the way we played bergkamp.

    The reason i feel diaby will play in midfield is to add strength and power in our midfield. Also he has the ability to score goals.

  21. dan Says:

    he simply can not let all these players without bringing in replacements, i am sure we will see new players coming in.

  22. joetodd Says:

    Yeah i was thinking, Rosicky is injured so it would be Nasri and someone else if Hleb goes.. Please dont tell me that that someone is Eboue.

  23. Manuel Says:

    i for got about emanuel ebb-away (possession).

    im sure he will have another dazzling season as our first choice right winger. no assists and no goals anybody?

  24. dan Says:

    well he played pretty well every game last year, so no reason to assume that it will not happen again.

  25. dan Says:

    so depressssssssssing!!!!!

  26. AJ Says:

    err dan.. did u watch our games? he was one of our worst players of the season. Although, in his defense, he did do a lot of good work, but his final product just wasn’t good enough.

  27. Manuel Says:

    i think dan may have been a bit sarcastic aj…

  28. hente Says:

    and so ff the topic

  29. dan Says:

    AJ i saw every game and you didn’t understand what i wrote. not that he played pretty well in the games but he played pretty well (ie nearly all) the games. he is utterly useless and i hate him, which is why i said it was depressing!!!!

  30. Joe Todd Says:

    He was blatently joking. And this is joetodd, i just changed my name on my wordpress account if you wondered. On the right wing dilemna.. Walcott in front of Eboue anyone?

  31. Manuel Says:

    hente i cant understand what you have just said…

    is there a spelling mistake in there, because i cannot comprehend what you are going on about.

    what does ‘ff’ stand for?

  32. Tonygooner Says:

    You all have little faith! Still weeks to go in the transfer merry go round.

  33. Manuel Says:

    haha dan.

    you hate him.

    dunno why that made me laugh. just never heard anyone say they ‘hated’ a player. sure ive heard people say players are c*nts and are shit, but never hate.

    your resentment of ebb-away is true and very deep.

  34. dan Says:

    manuel, i have never hated an arsenal player before, but he is useless, does nothing, is a cheat and keeps walcott out the team (not his fault obviously) and when i see him i know i am going to be frustrated and he never fails to deliver on that!!!!

  35. Adebyeor Says:

    One thing you have to give the tabloids. Amidst all the crazy off the hook comments allegedly being made by players, they’ve at least pointed out the farce that are the player’s contracts.

    They’re as outlandish as the comments and yet why do you think these comments hold water with so many people. Even most people. Whats the cause of the vast majority of this fuss. And sure look at poor Arshavin. He’s so little control over his contract in his current situation (and the way the media have approached it). His classic double at the Euro’s ended up being the reason no one can afford him outside Russia. The Arsenal-Ade situation is very similar. Whilst obviously Adebayor is a way more high profile target from certain major European clubs who happen to be rebuilding their offense.

  36. dan Says:

    the arshavin thing is funny, no way is the guy worth more than 10m, two good games and zenit want 20m and noones is going to pay that not even chelsea.

  37. Manuel Says:

    dan i agree. he is useless, especially regarding end product. the end of his product is 99% of the time giving the ball back to our opponents.

    yes and he is also a diver.

    not got much going for him, but i dont hate him. i dislike him as a footballer immensely though!

  38. hente Says:

    sorry manuel, off was the word :D

  39. Manuel Says:

    OHHHHHH,

    hente youve enlightened my world. thank you for correcting yourself. your statement now makes sense, although is still very boring.

  40. dan Says:

    your a nicer person than me!!!! i wish i never had to see him again. the frigging dancing gets on my tits as well

  41. Joe Todd Says:

    Haha me too.

  42. GERARD Says:

    nasri signing tomorrow,believe me folks,insider.

  43. hente Says:

    hmm, lol? LOL

  44. Joe Todd Says:

    hahahaha

  45. Gooner Chris Says:

    It’s true Hente, and he’s signing the day after that as well tbh. ;)

  46. Righty Says:

    Nasri is 101% Has been for a while.The only reason he hasn’t signed yet from Marseille,is something to do with the end of the French financial year-so dont panic it’s a done deal!

  47. Gooner Says:

    Diaby is good, watched him a lot, gets better all the time. Has had off days but dont they all…Im a season ticket holder and i reckon we were unlucky last season. Adeys greedy now for money, sell him if thats his attitude & hleb bye bye (and im an adey fan). Nasri’s coming, theo’s getting better, needs to learn to look around more, denilsons raw talent, ramseys a good signing. Vela is class, eduardos coming back, we got bendtner too. Eboue, senderos need to go, and get in a decent centre back….

  48. loves2spooge Says:

    I reckon Diaby and Denilson will come good with regular appearences, you cant expect a player to be consistent when keeping the bench warm. It looks like Sir Arsene will have a few bob to splash out soon enough too so all is well’ hopefully

  49. hente Says:

    Gooner, Diaby has potential but nobody seems to know where it is. Agree, Hleb’s a bye bye. I love Ade too and don’t really believe he’s behind all the fuzz, he’ll be at Emirates again next season.

    But.. or.. yeah, Denilson is raw, still, why still? Ramsey, good signing, time will tell. Vela, class? Might be, still totally unproven. Eduardo coming back, when? ..and as a same player as he was becoming..

    Point is, a lot, A LOT of questions.

  50. Spike Says:

    Its way too early to write off Diaby and Denilson. i think one of them could step up and be a partner for cesc.

    BUT the squad needs adding to, it wasn’t big enough last season and we have lost players already, with Hleb potentially going soon.

    There is still plenty of time, but it would be nice to actually have some positive news in the media, albeit, even if its bullsh*t!

  51. mark Says:

    if gilberto goes we dont need a direct replacement for flamini / gilberto – the money invested in bringing denilson and diaby to the club means they deserve there chance in the middle – if not why do we bother signing young players in the first place . on the wings , you cant trust rosicky to play that often so it must be vela / troare on the left unless we sign someone and walcott ( playing more games hopefully ) eboue on the right. van persie and who up front – if adabeyor goes we have bendtner but i always found last season bendner to be wastefull and when adabeyor came on the pitch the pressure was lifted off the team and we were in the game whereas we werent when bendtner was up front without adabeyor . adabeyor can also be wastefull but he has a presence . cant believe wenger doesnt have a plan though if we pull in big money from hleb and adabeyor leaving. major transfer . could be coming .

  52. Adam Says:

    FUNNY PPL SAYIN DIABY N DENILSON WOULD FILL THE VOID LEFT BY FLAMINI N GILBERTO, BUT YOU ALL HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT BOTH DIABY AND DENILSON ARE ALWAYS INJURED.

    DIABY WOULD BE A CRAP DM. HE DOESNT KNOW HOW TO TACKLE, LET ALONE HOLD ONTO THE BALL FOR 3 SECS.

    DENILSON IS TO SMALL AND SHORT, CANT REALLY SEE HIM PLAYING ALONGSIDE FABREGAS, MR WENGER BETTER START SPENDING BECAUSE HE’S GOING TO GET THE FANS AND BOARD TURN AGAISNT HIM. WE LOOK LIKE WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT GOING TO WIN ANYTHING AGAIN NEXT SEASON.

    FABREGAS WOULD BE OFF NEXT SEASON AT THIS RATE!!!

  53. hente Says:

    Point is that we need f*ckin depth to the squad! Sure Diaby, Denilson should have a go but if counting on them and it ain’t working.. think you people. There’s players like Sidwell and Wright-Phillips waiting to get a chance, just in case..

  54. Spike Says:

    Denilson too small??

    You obviously havent heard of Makelele or that diarra twat who pissed off to Pompey then? He’s a giant compared to them.

    I think Denilson’s more likely to do a job as a DM, but Wenger will probably gice Song a go there. As long as he aint playing as a CB!

  55. jlp Says:

    so adios, to hleb
    played some good and some not so good
    hope the arsenal curse lives strong in him
    weird how barca are growing closer to our starting line up 2 years ago than we are ;)

  56. Fabo Says:

    Adam didn’t you notice all of Spain’s midfielders were “small”.

    I don’t think we should sell Eboue we should sell Hoyte (who looked poor) and keep Eboue to challenge Sagna. We must remember Eboue is a FB its not his fault the boss played him out of position.

    Denilson and Diaby are good enough to play with Cesc if they can stay fit because they both had injury problems last season. Then after that there’s Rambo, Lansbury and possibly Bischoff so losing Gilberto is not such a blow apart from the experience factor.

    As for Nasri I’ll believe it when I see it. We will definitely need another creative player should we lose Hleb to avoid the possibility of Eboue playing on the wing. I don’t nessesarily think we need to buy a replacement for Ade we seem to have alot of talent up front but if we do I’d like Huntelaar.

  57. Me Says:

    Eboue on the wing was a success. he provided good runs and crosses and gave us plenty of comedy which is lost in todays game.

  58. Spike Says:

    Eboue was comedy gold for us last season.

    The world needs more clowns.

  59. Fabo Says:

    Me you are obviously a Yid you talk no sence this is the wrong sport for you mate try netball.

  60. Fabo Says:

    The world does need more clowns as long as they don’t play for Arsenal.

  61. P TOWN WE GOT TAZERZ,SAVING UP TO BY GUNZ WITH INFRARED LAZERZ Says:

    At the end of the day hoyte,denilson,eboue,senderos are all shit the only one who will step up this season If played in the correct position is diaby this guy in the middle with fabregas will be a good partner ship i.m.o.As for bitch coff well that is a joke if that happens.If arsenal do not replace hleb or even ade if he goes for that matter arsenal are in trouble,as i said on the opening line they are not good players and that will be arsenal’s downfall in strength in dept

  62. Fabo Says:

    You guys seem to have such short memories Denilson put in some impressive performances before his injury problems last season. Eboue was probably the best RB in the league when he played there he’s not a midfielder its not his fault. If Cesc was played at the back he would look poor aswell, what we need to do is get rid of Hoyte and let Eboue play in his natural position. As for Senderos……..

  63. Sabretooth Says:

    Has everybody stopped talking about Santa Cruz as Ade’s replacement? Imagine what he could do in a decent team. Is Yaya as part exchange a no go?

  64. Fabo Says:

    I dont believe le boss is interested in Yaya or he would have signed him a long time ago because he has known of him and has even had him on trial as a younster.

  65. Sabretooth Says:

    Point taken, but you can’t deny his seemingly drastic improvement over the last 12-18 months. Preferable to Diaby/Denilson/Song though.

  66. P TOWN WE GOT TAZERZ,SAVING UP TO BY GUNZ WITH INFRARED LAZERZ Says:

    If Diaby is played in his proper position which arsene wenger has stated that is in the middle of the park everyone will see the player he is suppossed to be.

  67. Fabo Says:

    He has looked good last season as one of three sitting in front of the back four. Arsenal doesn’t play that way we play with two very mobile CMs and I think that’s where him like Gilberto comes up short.

  68. Fabo Says:

    My last comment was in reference to Yaya by the way.

  69. Fabo Says:

    This just looks like more rubbish from the sun. I can’t see us signing another small pacey striker with Vela, V P, Walcott and the soon to return Eduardo. Plus there’s the likes of Barazite knocking on the door.

  70. Ricky Says:

    WTF am i reading??

    Its bad enough having to rely on gilberto to play CM next season but now its not even going to be him?? diaby? or denilson? bischoff? looooooooool.. I smell trouble.

    The way things are going we are going to have the smallest squad in the prem next season..

    Lehmann out
    Flamini out
    Hleb going
    Adebayor going
    Gilberto (maybe going) Thats FIVE players leaving a squad that NEEDED to bring in five players at the end of last season.. We somehow managed to suprise ppl last season but i cant see it happning again.. Im going to be a grumpy b*%@$*D for the whole of next season if this is the direction were heading..

  71. prick Says:

    i love eboue.

  72. prick Says:

    seriously.

  73. Tristan Says:

    Oh Dear Oh Dear, Guys What is actually Going On ?? Good God what is happening To THE ARSENAL for god sake? is this the road to leading downhills? I seriously got such a Strange Feelings that things might not be the same anymore, i mean the team never been in this kinda situation, Losing most of our key Players!! It really Really Kills me seeing all this saga at Arsenal i mean WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON? its totally Very unsettling For The Team. I Mean Some Players They Claim They have Huge Respect For Arsene Wenger and They Love ARsenal soo Much Blah Blah and on the other Hand sooo Eager To Leave the club, Call me Daft, But I seriously Don’t get it and To be honest I am sick and Tired Of these Kinda Players I Mean …..wha…GOD damn IT, I’d Say No Bloody One is above The Club..

    and hmm do i sense something with Bacary Sagna’s Words though , I Mean pretty While ago when he signed the new deal he Said that he wanna to Finish His Career at Arsenal and Now he’s not sure?!! Godness ME!! What is this all about? agrrr , I Mean even shitty Spurs they haven’t such things , Why us , What is Going on? Have we Lost Control Or what? I have been sooo Patient and Putting up with these players crap i Just For God sake agrrr , One question i’d like to ask , Are We Doomed?

    Please don’t take this the wrong way guys but is it Just me or what, I love something Called AARSENAL i even Love the Letters that Forms ARSENAL, i Just Hope that we Gain some Respect From these Twats and should show some Respect To their Contracts!!

  74. Tristan Says:

    oops Guess i let my angar gets the best of me , and btw AARSENAL ITS ACTUALLY ARSENAL Sorry about That i guess I was Just abit…Oh well enough said i guess….

    Up the Gooners!!

  75. Tristan Says:

    Oh one thing I Just Read something about us being linked to a Colombian Striker called Falcao , hmmm well he seems pretty decent Striker though he plays for River Plate… any Truth to that Though?

  76. Chase Says:

    Our first signing Ramsey will be filling in for Flamini and nasri will play on the wing where hleb was playing. If Adebayor leaves then it will give Eduardo a great chance to play up forward. We are also trying to buy either K.J Huntelaar,Falcoa or Santa Cruz

  77. g0on3r Says:

    i wonder why wenger dont try sign poulsen. he is a very good defensive midfielder and will only cost 10m euros. nway, there is one more possible candidate for flamini role, he is song. people only talk about diaby and denilson but forgot song has a magnificent african cup of nation played as a defensive midfielder. so he could be the one to partner cesc.

  78. crowleshow Says:

    Who gives a S_ _ _ we have no chance of winnibg anything this season!

  79. ignatz Says:

    I never realised gooners could be such a bunch of drama queens. As a couple have pointed out, we already have a Flamini replacement in Ramsey and another in Bischoff. Please don’t tell me that these players aren’t good enough when you’ve never seen them play.

    We have excellent young midfielders in Denilson, Diaby and Song, any of whom could also step up and have the kind of season that Flamster had last year. We have one of the top four or five midfielders in the world in Cesc. We have Nasri coming in for Hleb and we have Rosicky coming back from injury. We have Eboue who rightly came in for a lot of stick last season while playing out of his natural position, and who needs to improve his sportsmanship, but who otherwise adds energy and commitment. We’re swimming in midfielders, Arsenal have the best midfield of any premiership side.

    In attack we have RvP, Eduardo, Bendtner, Walcott and Vela even if Ade leaves – and if he does we’re likely to replace him too. Believe me, every single one of these forwards scares the shit out of defences up and down the country – yet somehow they aren’t enough for some Arsenal fans.

    We have the two best fullbacks in the Premiership with the possible exceptions of Evra and this new Portuguese fella Chelsea have signed. Our two central defenders are world class, quick and mobile.

    On the down side, the defence as a unit has yet to prove its resilience, there is a worrying lack of depth in this area and our keeper reminds me of Lukic – competent and brave, a good shot-stopper but without the charisma and presence that puts strikers on the back foot. If the back four tighten up, we will win the Premiership – and that means not relying on a defensive midfielder having a monster season for once. We’ve been spoiled with players like Petit, Vieira, Edu, Gilberto and Flamini.

  80. duck Says:

    I am sure Wenger saw something in the dressing room that he has allowed the following players to go. Arsenal needs improvement, new blood, new type of penetration and new hunger.

    If Wenger wanted to keep Flamini and Adebayor, he could have offered them improved contracts. But that will destroy Arsenal’s wage scale. So, they can go if they insist. Not the kinda attitude that you’d want in the dressing room.

    Hleb is leaving because he doesn’t like life in London and moreover, haven’t we fans been giving him the stick for not shooting? Since he is moving, then we’ll get a replacement who will shoot! Stop complaining.

    Gilberto is leaving mostly because his age and he wants to play football. At the peak of your career before you go down hill, you’d not want to sit on the bench regardless which team you’re playing for. So, thats only logical.

    Stop complaining! Especially on Adebayor, since he is going to fetch the club a big sum of money to buy other players. Plus, how many times has he missed a sitter? And then i hear fans complaining about it (which i do rant about). And Arsene didn’t say he won’t buy replacements for them, did he? It isn’t even the end of July.

  81. duck Says:

    Plus, we’ve got young players coming through too. Arsene should also give them a chance to prove themselves. Imagine Vieira stayed on for another 3 years with Arsenal, where would Fabregas play then?

  82. JOSH.C Says:

    I agree with duck. i think hleb’s exit may not be such a bad thing. He said himself he cannot keep up with the pace anymore.

    As for Ade im not so sure whats going to happen there, its all gone very quiet. I have a feeling he’ll stay particularly because of his asking price.

    I can’t believe people are slagging off diaby and denilson. 2 years ago if i would have said Flamini would be our holding midfield player then everyone would have said shutup. Just because all you lot want a team of galacticos. I do think though that arsene needs to entrust either ramsey diaby song or denilson with a first team place for stability reasons.

    One last thing. People saying above how Arshavin is a one game wonder!? i ask you to look at his profile on youtube, he has been brilliant for atleast to years now! not just one game. His vision is something that will be needed if hleb goes, seriously look at some of the passes he makes in that video. His asking price is rediculous though.

  83. Ricky Says:

    Oh please…….

    We should have never left highbury if we were gonna be struggling to keep our top four statas.. I mean players that wouldnt have been good enough to get in our 1st team 4 – 5 yrs ago are wanting to leave for bigger clubs.. lol WTF!!! am i the only one who thinks this way?

    Before we moved to the emirates i remember hoping that we dont go
    all out to get a nice new stadium & forget about the players were putting in there BUT it seems like this is the direction we have gone in even though wenger & dein said that we would have a top team playing at the emirates i think deep down they knew we would not..

    Guess the bad feeling i had then is sadly comming true. :(

  84. Sabretooth Says:

    Please don’t rely on Bendtner filling anyones shoes next season. The only person who truely believes he can play is himself. Yes Arsene obviously sees something in the guy but even his faith can be misguided. Pascal Cygan anyone?


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