Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is one of the few players in recent years to leave without upsetting the fans.

The right-back spent seven years at Arsenal before quietly and respectfully packing his bags for Manchester where, after a season on the bench, he has now usurped fans’ favourite Pablo Zabaleta to become a regular.

In an interview with Manchester Evening News, the France international said“I never thought about it [leaving City] because I came here for the challenge.

“I’m having that challenge now.

“No-one understood why I left Arsenal, but I stayed there for seven years and I needed a change,” explained the defender. “I’m someone who likes to challenge themselves and it was the right time to do it.

“I came here and Pablo [Zabaleta] was here and everyone knows that he is a top quality right back so I had to step up my game and I had to work harder.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal signed Mathieu Debuchy and promoted Héctor Bellerín to the first team squad. The Spaniard has proven to be more than ready and is now first choice, Not only is Bellerín first choice, he’s deservedly that and it’s exciting to watch him develop.

Meanwhile it’s nice to see Sagna, one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers for seven years, doing well. He deserves his shot at City and has taken it brilliantly.

Arsenal have a  superb young defender who has taken Sagna’s place, while the Frenchman has – for now – won the fight to play regularly again. Everything turned out just fine for all involved.