You’ll miss him when he’s gone
BACARY SAGNA has called on Arsenal fans to rally behind Arsene Wenger, insisting he remains “the right man” to lift them out of their slump.
The Manchester City fullback, who spent seven years at the Emirates under the Frenchman, says he is saddened at seeing how Wenger is being treated.
And he maintained fans agitating for their manager to be given the sack should be careful what they wish for, given they will never get anyone who cares more deeply about the club.
“He doesn’t deserve what is happening to him – he is a great man and an institution for Arsenal. It’s not fair,” said Sagna.
“Sometimes you can have difficult moments but he has always been there for the team.
“The fans are disappointed because of the results – anyone would be with what has happened on the pitch.
“But is it time for him to go? No. I’d like him to stay. I associate Arsenal with his name. When I had tough moments, he always showed trust in me. That’s why it is difficult for me to see him in this position.
“I’m quite sad for the manager because he doesn’t deserve what’s happening to him. He is the man for this situation at Arsenal.”
Gunners supporters seem split on whether Wenger should be allowed to extend his time at the club, with a two-year deal on the table, or be told his time is up.
Over the weekend, it was suggested Wenger, 67, wanted to be given the chance to sign again and engineer a happier exit from the Emirates than walk away or be sacked with the club in freefall.
Sagna insisted Arsenal’s players have not only a duty of responsibility but that the Frenchman’s future is in their hands.
And while he is hoping they do not start to turn things around against City in either their league or FA Cup clashes next month, he believes their
SPORT IN BRIEF
seemingly discontented dressing room holds the key. “They are having a tough moment but the players can turn it around for sure,” he said. “They have quality players – players who can react and who are part of the Champions League every season. “They can beat anyone. Maybe, commitment-wise, they were not that confident and without that it’s difficult to play. “But they remain a good team and dangerous to play.” City line up against Arsenal in two fixtures next month, first in the Premier League on April 2, then in the semifinals of the FA Cup on April 23. Both matches are at the Emirates.
“Hopefully they won’t do it against us because I want to be part of a good season for this team. So of course I will go there wanting to win,” said Sagna, who must overcome a thigh injury that has ruled him out of France’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg on Saturday.
“We need to go to Arsenal and win the game because we want to be part of the Champions League again next season.
“It’s going to be difficult to catch Chelsea – it’s maybe too far now – but we want to be qualifying for the Champions League, so we have to go and give a good performance, stick together and keep working hard.”
City goalkeeper Willy Caballero added: “This is our trophy now. We are fighting every single game to be in the four who qualify for the Champions League.
“After the way we lost against Monaco, the most important thing for us now is to be there next year, in the Champions League again.
“We have to win the next game to be in those kind of positions and fight until the end, because it is going to be a really difficult run.
“The rest of the teams are fighting a lot.”
I must move on after my horror miss says Lallana
ADAM LALLANA said he felt “gutted” after his ‘miss of the season’ cost Liverpool two points at the Etihad.
But the Reds midfielder, right, insisted he would not beat himself up from now until May wondering if it will cost them Champions League football.
Lallana fluffed his chance in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City with eight minutes left on the clock, seven yards out and with the goal at his mercy. But he said: “I’m only disappointed not to score it because it could have been the difference on the day. “They happen sometimes. I might have taken my eyes off the ball for a second and got excited. I’m gutted as it could have been the winner.”