Bacary Sagna has worn both shirts.
He has celebrated in blue.
He has battled in red.
But as Arsenal and Manchester City prepare for a title race that could go down to the wire, the former defender has delivered a heartfelt — and potentially controversial — verdict.
He’s praying for Mikel Arteta.
Despite ending his career at Manchester City after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer in 2014, Sagna admits his heart still leans north London. And with just weeks remaining in one of the tightest Premier League races in years, he wants to see the Gunners finally get over the line.
“I’m praying for him to win the league this year, honestly,” Sagna said of Arteta. “He deserves it.”
That’s not a throwaway comment. It’s emotional. Personal. Deeply rooted.
The title picture has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. Arsenal once looked set to open a commanding nine-point lead when City trailed late at Liverpool last month. Two late City goals flipped the narrative. Arsenal then stumbled at Brentford and Wolves.
The gap is now just five points — and Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
Momentum feels fragile. Pressure is suffocating.
But Sagna believes Arteta is built for this moment.
“Mikel Arteta is the man for the situation Arsenal are in right now,” he insisted.
For three consecutive seasons, Arsenal have finished second. Agonisingly close. Painfully consistent. In a league dominated by Guardiola’s machine-like City, maintaining that level of challenge is no small feat.
“Anyone who has played in the Premier League knows how difficult it is to keep fighting for titles year after year,” Sagna said.
He points to something deeper than tactics — squad evolution.
“Man City were out of reach because of their squad depth. Arsenal have built slowly. Now there’s cover in every position. The team is so good — and that’s down to Mikel.”
Arteta’s transformation of Arsenal hasn’t just been structural; it’s cultural. Sagna, who travelled with the team during pre-season, saw it firsthand.
“He treats people equally. He gives everyone opportunities. He has a human side that not many people have.”
It’s high praise — especially from someone who also experienced Guardiola’s intensity at City.
“Pep has a human side too,” Sagna acknowledged. “But Mikel is the same.”
For Sagna, the loyalty to Arsenal runs deeper than football.
He made 213 Premier League appearances for the Gunners after joining from Auxerre in 2007. He lived major life moments in red and white. His children were born during his Arsenal years. He endured personal tragedy there. The club supported him through it all.
“They’ve always been like a family for me,” he admitted.
Yes, he won silverware at City. Yes, he respects what Guardiola has built — even calling City “the best team in the world over the past five years.”
But sometimes, football loyalty isn’t logical.
“If I had to choose one of them to win the league this season, I might go for Arsenal,” Sagna said. “Man City have won it so many times. It won’t change anything for them.”
For Arsenal, though, it would change everything.
It would validate years of rebuilding. Silence accusations of fragility. Reward a fanbase that has waited two decades for Premier League glory.
And Sagna believes the recent 4-1 North London Derby victory sent a message.
“They could have crumbled after conceding. But they didn’t. I saw leaders in that side. That’s the mark of a big team.”
Now comes the defining stretch.
Ten games. Five-point gap. One game in hand for City.
For Sagna, the split remains — 55% Arsenal, 45% Manchester City, as he jokingly puts it.
But when the final whistle blows in May, there’s no doubt which celebration he’s hoping to see.
He’s praying for red.
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