Ian Wright says Arsenal should have pushed harder to re-sign Bacary Sagna.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has bemoaned a key summer departure, insisting the club’s defensive problems could have been averted.
Bacary Sagna left on a free transfer to sign with Manchester City, after the club were unable to convince him to sign a new deal.
With the Frenchman’s flexibility in defence a real asset, Arsenal have been playing the uncomfortable looking Nacho Monreal at centre-back instead, as injuries bite.
Wright told BBC 5 Live 606: “Last season he (Arsene Wenger) came out and said Sagna is one of the best centre-backs at the club. He’s been playing right-back for so many years, and he let him go.
“I’m sure he went for a few more quid – give him more money, let him stay there.
“Then you could play him at centre-half if that’s the case. Now Monreal a second choice left-back is playing centre-back. That should not be happening at Arsenal.”
The French international has not had a great time at Manchester City since joining, making only three Premier League starts.
Sagna said last week however that money was not the motivating factor behind his departure, rather a desire to win trophies. But with City already off the pace this season, he may not have found the quick fix he desired.
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