Bacary Sagna

Bacary Sagna profile

• Name

  Bacary Sagna

• Born

  February 14, 1983

• Sens, France

• Position

  Defender

• Squad Number

  3

• Previous Club(s)

  Auxerre

• Joined Arsenal

  July 12, 2007

• Arsenal Debut

  Fulham (h)

• Premier League

• July 12, 2007

• Won 2-1

• First Arsenal Goal

  Chelsea (a)

• Premier League

• March 23, 2008

• Lost 2-1

Some of English football's finest imports needed time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League, including luminaries like Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires. Not Bacary. The Frenchman took to the English game immediately following his arrival in the summer of 2007.

First and foremost Bacary has proved himself to be an exemplary defender. His positional awareness, tackling ability and aerial strength secured Arsenal's right side. It was there that he developed a strong understanding with Emmanuel Eboue.

Bacary also impressed on the front foot. Neat and tidy in possession, his willingness to overlap gave Arsenal the width they needed to stretch defences. His crossing was another weapon - one pinpoint effort set up Emmanuel Adebayor's thumping headed winner at Villa Park.

The Frenchman's worth was underlined at Stamford Bridge in March. His first professional goal gave Arsenal a priceless lead but an ankle injury forced him out of the game (and the season). Bacary's departure unbalanced the back four and Chelsea struck twice to inflict a painful defeat.

That untimely injury denied Bacary a chance to shine at Euro 2008 but he is widely-regarded as the long-term successor to current France right back, Willy Sagnol. He looks set to have a long-term impact at the Emirates too.