Bacary Sagna
Sagna in 2012
Personal information
Full name Bacary Sagna[1]
Date of birth (1983-02-14) 14 February 1983[2]
Place of birth Sens, France
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[3]
Position(s) Right-back
Youth career
1992–1997 Sens
1997–2002 Auxerre
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2004 Auxerre B 37 (3)
2004–2007 Auxerre 87 (0)
2007–2014 Arsenal 213 (4)
2014–2017 Manchester City 54 (0)
2018 Benevento 13 (1)
2018–2019 Montreal Impact 35 (2)
Total 439 (10)
International career
2004–2006 France U21 13 (1)
2007–2016 France 65 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  France
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up2016
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Bacary Sagna (born 14 February 1983) is a French former professional footballer who played as a right back and is mostly known for his time at Arsenal. He also played for the France national football team.

Sagna's former manager at Arsenal, Arsène Wenger, once described him as the best right-back in the Premier League. In addition to him regularly featuring as a wing-back, he played as a centre-back for Arsenal on several occasions.[4][5][6]

Sagna began his career at Auxerre, before transferring to Arsenal for £7 million in 2007. In 2014, shortly after winning the FA Cup, his first trophy at the club, he made a move to Manchester City.[7][8] A full international from 2007 to 2016, he was selected by France for two FIFA World Cup tournaments and one UEFA European Championship.

Club career

Sens

Sagna started his career at FC Sens. He played for their youth team until 1998.

Auxerre

In 1998, he moved to AJ Auxerre's youth team. Eventually, he was promoted to the first team and he made 87 Ligue 1 appearances for them. He was part of the squad that won the Coupe de France in 2005. He also played in the UEFA Cup in each of his three seasons with the club's first team, making a total of 17 appearances in the competition. He was also voted into the Ligue 1 team of the season for his outstanding displays at the right back position. He played in the same Auxerre team as Abou Diaby, a future Arsenal teammate, and Watford centre-back Younès Kaboul. Sagna established himself as one of the best full backs of the French top tier and thus became dubbed "Mr. Reliable" by the club's fans. He also won Auxerre's Player of the Year award for the 2006–07 season.[5][9]

Arsenal

Sagna playing for Arsenal in the 2007–08 season

2007–08 season

On 12 July 2007, Sagna completed a move to Arsenal from Auxerre for an undisclosed fee, thought to have been an initial €9 million that could have risen to €11 million.[8] He was given the number 3 shirt, previously worn by former defender Ashley Cole.[10]

Sagna made his debut for Arsenal on 19 July 2007 as a starter in the squad that beat Turkish club Gençlerbirliği 3–0 in a friendly at Austria's Bad Waltersdorf Stadion.[11]

On 13 February 2008, exactly one week before Arsenal were set to play the second leg of their round of 16 encounter against Milan in the Champions League, Sagna's older brother, Omar Sagna, died at the age of 28, one day before his birthday. He, however, did play the match after he was advised to by his father. Arsenal went on to win the second leg 0–2 with the same scoreline on aggregate.

On 23 March, Sagna tallied his first Premier League goal off a low header from a corner kick to give Arsenal a 1–0 lead against London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but later went off injured before Chelsea came back to win the game 2–1.[12] At the end of the season, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year.[13]

2008–09 season

Sagna taking a throw in against Manchester United

Sagna signed a new deal with Arsenal before the start of the 2008–09 season. Arsenal signed him for a further two years, taking his contract up to 2014. Sagna stated, "I love Arsenal, it's a great club," and further added, "The manager is also very good and next season we will be fighting for all the trophies." He stunningly saved Arsenal in a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa when he jumped and kicked the ball away so that Arsenal would go into half time with the lead.[14]

2009–10 season

Sagna struggled to replicate his form from the previous two seasons as injuries also prevented him from contributing to the team in the same way. He provided many assists though, his most important contribution arguably being the cross to striker Nicklas Bendtner, who gave Arsenal the 1–0 lead in the 94th minute against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite this, however, Sagna was linked away from the club with various teams, including Serie A's Internazionale, seemingly interested in taking the defender away from London.[15]

2010–11 season

Sagna playing for Arsenal in 2010

Sagna scored his first goal at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal against Celtic, a game in which Arsenal went on to win 3–2 and win the Emirates Cup for the second consecutive year. He made his 100th league start for Arsenal on 3 October 2010, a 2–0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. On 14 November, he scored only his second ever official goal for Arsenal in a 2–1 away victory against Everton at Goodison Park, with a powerful shot from the near post. On 8 December 2010, Sagna picked up his first red card in his Arsenal career in a 3–1 home victory against Serbian club Partizan in Arsenal's final Champions League group game of the season.

On 1 January 2011, in a match with Birmingham City, he was involved in an incident where Lee Bowyer stamped on him after Sagna had gone in for a tackle. Bowyer was banned by the FA for three games for the stamp. On 5 January, Sagna picked up his second red card of the season after he and Manchester City fullback Pablo Zabaleta headbutted each other in the final moments of Arsenal's 0–0 draw with City at Emirates Stadium. On 19 January, Sagna scored his second goal of the season with Arsenal's second goal in their 3–1 victory over Leeds United at Elland Road in a third round replay. This was Sagna's career best for goal-scoring, his previous best coming in the 2007–08 season where scored only once. Sagna was included in the PFA Team of the Year for his performance in the 2010–11 season.[16]

2011–12 season

On 13 August 2011, Sagna started and played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle United at St James' Park in a 0–0 draw on the opening day of the 2011–12 Premier League season. On Saturday 20 August, he started at left-back and played the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat at the hands of a Liverpool side that picked up its first win over the Gunners away from home in 11 years. On 28 August, Sagna missed Arsenal's game against Manchester United at Old Trafford due to illness.

Sagna sustained a leg break during a match against North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur after a challenge by Benoît Assou-Ekotto forced him to land awkwardly. On 29 January 2012, Sagna came off the bench against Aston Villa as an 89th-minute substitute to mark his comeback. On 26 February 2012, he started in the North London derby against Spurs, scoring a header from a Mikel Arteta cross and inspiring Arsenal to come back from being 2–0 down to go on and win 5–2.[17] He unfortunately sustained another leg break of the same leg in the final home match of the season against Norwich City, which ruled him out of UEFA Euro 2012 in June 2012.[18]

2012–13 season

In October 2012, Sagna marked his return to the first team by starting in Arsenal's 1–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.[19] On 3 November, he started and played the full 90 minutes at right-back against Manchester United at Old Trafford, a 2–1 league defeat.[20] In his absence with a broken leg, Carl Jenkinson started for Arsenal and earned rave reviews, but Sagna continued to be Arsenal's first-choice right back upon his return. On 9 February 2013, due to an injury to centre-back Laurent Koscielny during warm-ups, Sagna was forced to fill in as a central defender against Sunderland.[21] He helped a ten-man Arsenal win 1–0.[22] On 28 April 2013, Sagna committed a mistimed tackle inside the penalty box on Robin van Persie in a 1–1 home draw against Manchester United, conceding a penalty to bring the score level after a second-minute Arsenal goal from Theo Walcott.

2013–14 season

Sagna during open top bus parade after winning the FA Cup

Sagna remained Arsenal's first choice right-back at the start of the season, fighting off competition from Carl Jenkinson.[23] He scored his first goal of the season, his fifth in Arsenal colours, against Stoke City on 22 September, heading in Mesut Özil's free-kick, securing a 3–1 win for the Gunners.[24] On 17 May, Sagna started in the 2014 FA Cup Final as Arsenal beat Hull City 3–2 at Wembley Stadium, his first trophy at the club.[25]

It was announced on 27 May that Sagna would not extend his contract with the Gunners, which was set to expire at the end of the season. Although Arsenal offered him a two-year extension, Sagna was believed to be "90 per cent certain" of leaving the Emirates, thus rejecting the contract extension. Additional sources understand that Manchester City and a number of top clubs in Europe had expressed an interest in signing him.[26] Sagna said he did not sign a new deal with Arsenal because "the discussions did not go in the direction that he wanted".[27]

Manchester City

It was announced on 13 June 2014 that Sagna had agreed to a deal with Manchester City to join the reigning Premier League champions after his contract with Arsenal was set to expire on 30 June. He was City's first signing of the summer and signed a three-year deal, taking the number 3 shirt.[28] He left the club at the end of his contract in June 2017.

Benevento

On 3 February 2018, Sagna signed with Serie A side Benevento Calcio for six months and a year in option.[29] On 29 April, Sagna scored his sole goal for Benevento with 90th-minute header in their 3–3 draw to Udinese.[30]

Montreal Impact

On 8 August 2018, Sagna signed with Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer for the remainder of the 2018 season, with an option for 2019.[31] Although the option was not taken up,[32] Sagna subsequently signed a one-year contract to stay with the club for the 2019 season.[33]

International career

Youth

Sagna has previously represented the French under-21 team, with whom he also participated at the 2006 European Under-21 Championship.

At age 17 Sagna wished to join up with the Senegalese national team, stating, "I wanted to play for Senegal when I was 17, but they didn't reply. So I was a bit disappointed. But when I started playing for Auxerre for the first team, they contacted me and I had a game on the same day with the French national team under 21s so I had to make a choice."

Senior

Sagna received his first senior international cap for France on 22 August 2007 in a friendly match against Slovakia on the road, which they won 1–0, coming on as a substitute for François Clerc after one hour of play. He went on to make his competitive debut for France in their 6–0 away win at the Faroe Islands on 13 October 2007 in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers, playing all 90 minutes. It was his only appearance in the Euro 2008 qualifying. He was not a candidate to join the French team at the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland as he was still recovering from the injury sustained in Arsenal's Premier League match at Chelsea in March 2008.

After recovering from the injury, Sagna returned to the French team for their friendly match against Sweden in August 2008, playing all 90 minutes in a 3–2 away win. He went on to become a regular in the French team's qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was also a part of the disastrous French World Cup campaign when the team crashed out at the group stage after losing 2–1 against hosts South Africa.

Sagna missed out on UEFA Euro 2012 with a broken leg.[18]

Personal life

Bacary Sagna was born in Sens, France to Senegalese parents.[34] He is a Muslim.[35] In 2010, he married French-Algerian model Ludivine Kadri with whom he already had a son named Elias (born in 2009). In 2013, Kadri gave birth to the couple's second son Kais.[36]

His cousin Ibrahima Sonko played in England for Reading and in Turkey for Akhisar Belediyespor.[37]

On 31 March 2011, Sagna became an ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an international non-profit that uses the power of football to educate, inspire, and mobilise communities to stop the spread of HIV.[38]

Sagna is called "Bac" by the majority of his teammates.[39]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[40][41]
Club Season League National cup[nb 1] Continental[nb 2] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Auxerre 2004–05 Ligue 1 26070100430
2005–06 Ligue 1 2303010270
2006–07 Ligue 1 38030100510
Total 8701302101210
Arsenal 2007–08 Premier League 2913080401
2008–09 Premier League 3505090490
2009–10 Premier League 3501080440
2010–11 Premier League 3316140432
2011–12 Premier League 2112060291
2012–13 Premier League 2503030310
2013–14 Premier League 3514090481
Total 21342414702845
Manchester City 2014–15 Premier League 903040160
2015–16 Premier League 28060110450
2016–17 Premier League 1703050250
Total 540120200860
Benevento 2017–18 Serie A 131——131
Montreal Impact 2018 Major League Soccer 9100—91
2019 Major League Soccer 26150—311
Total 35250—402
Career total 40275418805448

International

Source:[42]

National teamYearAppsGoals
France
200720
200840
2009100
2010100
201160
2012 0 0
201360
201470
201590
2016110
Total650

Honours

Auxerre

Arsenal

Manchester City

Montreal Impact

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Squads for 2016/17 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: France" (PDF). FIFA. 14 July 2014. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Bacary Sagna: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is the best right-back in the Premier League". Give Me Football. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Arsenal boss Wenger: Sagna best right-back in league". tribalfootball.com. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  6. ↑ Nik Brumsack (15 February 2013). "Wenger – Sagna can shine at centre back | News Archive | News". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Bacary Sagna". Arsenal F.C.
  8. 1 2 "Sagna signe jeudi à Arsenal". L'Équipe (in French). 12 July 2007. Archived from the original on 2 December 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Bacary Sagna: 30 Reasons to Love the Arsenal Full-Back". Bleacher Report.com.
  10. ↑ "Auxerre's Sagna signs for Arsenal". BBC Sport. 12 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 August 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2007.
  11. ↑ "Match Report". Arsenal Online. 19 July 2007. Archived from the original on 9 August 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  12. ↑ Hughes, Ian (23 March 2008). "Chelsea 2–1 Arsenal". BBC. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  13. 1 2 "Ronaldo named player of the year". BBC Sport. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  14. ↑ "Sagna pens Gunners deal". Sky Sports. 4 June 2008. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
  15. ↑ "Sagna linked with Inter move". Sky Sports. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
  16. 1 2 "Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award". BBC Sport. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "Arsenal 5–2 Tottenham" BBC Sport. 26 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  18. 1 2 "Bacary Sagna ruled out of Euro 2012 with broken leg". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  19. ↑ Jurejko, Jonathan (27 October 2012). "Arsenal 1–0 QPR". BBC. BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  20. ↑ McNulty, Phil (3 November 2012). "Manchester United 2–1 Arsenal". BBC. BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  21. ↑ Doyle, Joe (9 February 2013). "TEAM NEWS: Jenkinson starts for Arsenal against Sunderland". Goal.com. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  22. ↑ Johnston, Neil (9 February 2013). "Sunderland 0–1 Arsenal". BBC. BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  23. ↑ Arsenal Correspondent (30 October 2013). "Chelsea Display Shows Why Carl Jenkinson Is Not Ready to Replace Bacary Sagna". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  24. ↑ Nik Brumsack (23 September 2013). "Sagna – Goal was my gift to the team | News Archive | News". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  25. ↑ "Arsenal 3–2 Hull". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Sagna tells Arsenal he is leaving". Sky Sports. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Sagna confirms he's leaving". Your Daily Arsenal. 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "Bacary Sagna: Manchester City agree to sign Arsenal defender". BBC Sport. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  29. ↑ "Bacary Sagna signe à Benevento (officiel)". L'Equipe (in French). 3 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  30. ↑ "Sagna al 90': pirotecnico 3-3 tra Benevento e Udinese nella 'prima' di Tudor". Eurosport (in Italian). 29 April 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  31. ↑ "French international right-back Bacary Sagna joins the Impact". Montreal Impact. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  32. ↑ "Montreal Impact decline options on veterans Rod Fanni, Bacary Sagna | MLSSoccer.com".
  33. ↑ "Revealed: Former Arsenal & Man City star Bacary Sagna pens new contract with Montreal Impact". 21 December 2018.
  34. ↑ "How Senegal snubbed Sagna". SuperSport official website. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  35. ↑ Din, Tusdiq (23 August 2011). "Fasting and football. How do top-flight Muslims cope?". The Independent. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  36. ↑ "Ludivine Sagna". Gala FR website.
  37. ↑ "Sonko reveals Arsenal family link". readingfc.co.uk. 8 November 2007. Archived from the original on 10 November 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2007.
  38. ↑ "Bacary Sagna inspires millions as a Grassroot Soccer Ambassador". grassrootsoccer.org. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  39. ↑ "Sagna został ojcem" (in Polish). Kanonierzy.com. 9 March 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  40. ↑ "Bacary Sagna". ESPN. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  41. ↑ "Bacary Sagna" (in French). French Football Federation. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
  42. ↑ "Bacary Sagna". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  43. ↑ McNulty, Phil (17 May 2014). "Arsenal 3–2 Hull City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  44. ↑ McNulty, Philip (27 February 2011). "Arsenal 1–2 Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  45. ↑ McNulty, Phil (28 February 2016). "Liverpool 1–1 Manchester City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  46. ↑ "Montreal Impact beat Toronto FC on Penalty Kicks to win Canadian Championship". TSN. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
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