Bacary Sagna blasts Arsenal boardroom ‘circus’ and asks ‘who is taking the big decisions?’ as former defender questions why Gunners can’t attract better class of player
Bacary Sagna has described his former club Arsenal as a ‘circus’ and questioned why the Gunners hierarchy can’t attract a better calibre of player.
The former France right-back, who spent seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium before joining Manchester City in 2014, also suggested billionaire owner Stan Kroenke isn’t running the club properly.
Sagna, 37, who latterly played for Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer, strongly criticised the lack of leadership off the field at his old club.
Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has slammed the Gunners hierarchy and questioned why they can’t attract a better calibre of player to the Emirates Stadium
He previously described Arsenal as ‘a circus of a club’ in an interview with Sky Sports back in December.
And, in an interview with Goal.com this week, he has elaborated on those comments.
‘When I called the club a circus, it was not about the players, the performance or their quality,’ he said. ‘It was about the club.
‘How you can be in London, which is probably the most attractive city in the UK, have a great stadium such as the Emirates and not be doing more?
‘Basically, the club is able to bring in any player today because every player loves Arsenal. If you are any player in foreign leagues, their beloved team along with [Manchester] United, is Arsenal. The club could be much more higher.
‘Obviously now with big spenders like City coming into the game they have tried to have an ethic, which I respect a lot, but you have to make some choices.
‘Don’t expect the players to perform like teams who have maybe two squads.’
Sagna went on to bemoan the lack of leadership at the club since long-serving manager Arsene Wenger left in 2018 after 22 years in charge.
Unai Emery has been and gone as manager since then, with current boss Mikel Arteta facing a significance rebuilding job to restore Arsenal to trophy contenders.
He added: ‘As a player you want the club to show some desire. Not necessarily in spending money, but someone needs to run the club properly and you don’t really know who is leading Arsenal. Who is taking the big decisions?
‘Back in the day you knew Arsenal were taking decisions through Arsene Wenger. He was the leader. Since he left, you don’t know who is leading.
‘For a club like Arsenal, I thought there would be more leadership. That’s why I said that about it being a circus. It’s because I love Arsenal. When you love something it’s like having a relationship with someone.
‘Whenever I’m critical, I’m not critical in a bad way. I just can’t understand what’s happening.’
Sagna joined Arsenal from French club Auxerre in 2007 but only had one FA Cup winners’ medal to show for his seven years and 284 appearances for the club.
