Bacary Sagna has revealed that he turned down an invitation to train with Arsenal while he was without a club, citing respect for Mathieu Debuchy’s circumstances as the reason.
The 35-year-old spent eight months without a club after leaving Manchester City in the summer before joining Italian side Benevento on a free in January.
It turns out that during that club-less period Arsene Wenger extended an invitation to the former Gunner, who spent seven years at the Emirates, to train at London Colney. Not wanting to step on the toes of Debuchy, who at the time couldn’t get in the first team, Sagna politely declined the opportunity.
“I could have trained with Arsenal,” he told L’Equipe, “but I declined the offer because I had read in an interview that Arsene Wenger claimed to have too many players.
“Then, out of respect for Mathieu (Debuchy), who was still at the club…[I didn’t take up the invitation.”
He was training by himself at the football ground I live at in Barnet. My 8 year old son would rush home from school every Monday or Tuesday to try and catch him. Lovely guy signed his shirt for him
You live at a football ground? How’d you wangle that one? ?
I’m a groundsman by trade so I live on site, it’s not too shabby I suppose.
Good exchange Hank and Viva
Was he training at Underhill? Can’t believe I missed him!
Shame, he would have been a good influence on the other players, he is a legend.
I was there to see the header against 5p*r2 that lead us back to 5-2, we need that level of determination now.
A legend? Come on mate. Defo a very good player for us but never a legend.
Sorry, I loved that header.
Plus played in the FA Cup when we ended our trophy drought.
Close to being a legend, maybe.
I would agree with Pedant. Fantastic player for us. Came in 07-08 & solved a problem position so well he was best right back in the league in his first season. I remember a game at Sunderland too where we went down to 10 men & he moved to centre half & was magnificent. TGe word ‘legend’ has been thrown around on here for players who contributed far less to the club imo.
There was a period of a couple of years where the only player you could know for certain would be battling for it every game was Sagna. After so many years of gifted but temperamental players that does make him a bit of a legend in my eyes.
In fairness you could say the same about Wilshere even back then, especially during his ‘Young Player of the Year’ season.
We should also extend an invitation to her missus to train with us! 😀
this has nothing to do with arsenal, but daaaamn was she attractive eh? 😀
She was fit.
Wenger would have probably gave him a 1 year contract. Im tired of that guy and im glad he never came back
Yet another who joined the Man City gravy train like Nasri, Clichy, Adebayor, Marwood and Arteta. Wouldn’t mind if City were a big club, but they’re not; just got big bucks backing them. What’s the buffoon in charge offering him a chance to train for? Showed no loyalty to the Gunners did he?
He saw out his contract, and gave us most of his best years. Is that not loyal?
Met him a couple of times when I lived in Barnet, always spoke very highly of the club and to my knowledge has never said a bad word about us after he left. Amazing professional and athlete, would welcome him back any time. On the move to City? I don’t know why there should be and bitterness, he honoured his contract made it clear he wanted a new challenge after 7 years and walked away. The fact he was offered a chance to come and train while out of contract shows this. I can’t see us offering that to someone… Read more »
Fair enough. Would have been a useful guy to have around though, I’m not sure Hector has learnt much from Debuchy
Good man. I liked him. If I recall correctly, at one point he was the best RB in the Premier League
I would say defensively he was the best RB, but he didn’t offer a lot going forward. His crossing was always so-so.
But that header against Sp*ds!!!!
By saying “so-so” you’re being kind, his crosses were often terrible. Good guy, brilliant header against Tottenham, but his last seasons with Arsenal were below par.
Well, I’m pretty sure he was in the PFA team of the year at least once. He was also, until replaced by Debuchy, the first-choice right back for France. So, much better than just a decent player, whether or not he was a “legend.”
Twice.
Ah Bacary, you used to be one of my favorites but tbh i almost forgot about you. Hope the ‘new challenge’ at City turned out ok, did it?
Do i remember correctly that he was open to staying but we didnt offer him a long enough deal and man city were prepared to do so?
We didn’t have any contract drama like we have in recent seasons with key players because the ball was firmly in our court.