One of the biggest changes in the Premier League this season is that Arsène Wenger isn’t on Arsenal’s bench any longer.
After 23 years in charge at Highbury and then the Emirates, the French manager decided to step down from his beloved position, eventually being replaced by Unai Emery.
The Gunners haven’t had the best of starts to their new season, and it might take some time for the Spaniard to stamp his mark on a team that was so used to how Wenger did things.
While the former Arsenal manager’s move might have surprised a few, it didn’t come as a shock to Bacary Sagna, who spent seven years under his tutelage in London.
He told Foot Mercato in an interview: “I was expecting it. Looking at how the fans had turned on him, what came next was logical. I don’t think he could have continued in that context. It’s quite a shame. Leaving like that after all he brought to the club. He changed the image of English football.
“Not everything can always go perfectly. He had good moments with Arenal. Always tried to keep a certain ethic in order to play and help develop youngsters, especially English. He’s criticised when he’s trying to help football.
“English people complain about always having more foreign players, to not have enough space for local talent, but when a manager, who’s also French, does it, gives English players a chance, he’s criticised by the press…”
During his time at Arsenal, the now 35-year-old, currently at Montréal Impact in the MLS, made 285 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and picking up 28 assists from right-back.
