Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal have what it takes to finish the job in this season’s Premier League title race. The 43-year-old, who has made Dubai his home since retiring from professional football, is well placed to speak about both clubs. During his career, Sagna played for Arsenal and later joined Manchester City, making a combined 370 appearances for the two Premier League sides.
With Arsenal and City once again fighting at the top of English football, Sagna said he sees his former North London club as the stronger favourite this time.
According to Sagna, Arsenal’s consistency throughout the campaign gives them the edge. He said the Gunners have spent much of the season leading the table and now appear ready to complete the challenge. He also pointed to Arsenal reaching the Champions League final as another major confidence boost for Mikel Arteta’s side. In Sagna’s view, the team has grown from past disappointments and now looks prepared to hold its nerve during the final stages of the season.
Sagna’s Strong Connection to Arsenal and Manchester City
Sagna built his reputation at Arsenal, where he became one of the Premier League’s most dependable right-backs. He joined the Gunners in 2007 and spent several successful years at the club before moving to Manchester City in 2014. At City, Sagna played for three seasons and was part of the squad during Pep Guardiola’s first year in charge. He made 25 appearances under the Spanish manager before leaving the club at the end of the 2016/17 season to join Italian side Benevento.
His experience at both Arsenal and City gives his title-race prediction extra weight, especially as he worked closely with Guardiola while also sharing time at City with Arteta, who was then part of Guardiola’s coaching staff.
Playing Under Pep Guardiola Changed His View of Football
Sagna also reflected on what it was like to work under Guardiola, who has since become one of the most successful managers in Premier League history. The Frenchman said Guardiola’s approach is built on detail, discipline and a complete understanding of the game. Under Pep, he explained, players are expected to live football fully, both on and off the pitch.
Sagna described Guardiola as tactically demanding and said the experience helped him see football in a deeper way. That influence now plays a role in his own coaching journey in Dubai. Sagna currently coaches Banaat FC, a Dubai-based women’s football team. He said working with Guardiola has helped shape the way he thinks as a coach, especially when it comes to tactical awareness and attention to detail.
Sagna Backs France Ahead of the World Cup
With the World Cup approaching, Sagna also shared his confidence in the French national team. Having represented France at two World Cups during his own playing career, Sagna believes Didier Deschamps’ squad has the quality and experience needed to win the tournament.
He highlighted France’s record over the past decade as proof of the team’s consistency at major competitions. France reached the quarter-finals at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, made the final of Euro 2016, won the 2018 World Cup, and reached another World Cup final in 2022.
For Sagna, that history shows a team with a strong winning culture. He also said the current France squad combines freshness with familiarity, as many of the players have known each other for a long time. With the tournament expected to be Deschamps’ final competition as France manager, Sagna believes winning it would be a fitting farewell.
Arsenal, Guardiola and France All in Focus
Sagna’s comments bring together three major stories in world football: Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title, Guardiola’s lasting influence on modern coaching, and France’s ambition to win another World Cup.
Now based in Dubai, the former defender remains closely connected to the game through coaching and analysis. And while he has strong ties to both Arsenal and Manchester City, his prediction is clear: this could finally be Arsenal’s year.