• Premier League

Arsenal too nice, defensively poor - Sagna's verdict

ESPN staff
May 9, 2011
Stoke City easily defeated Arsenal on Sunday © Getty Images
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Bacary Sagna has admitted Arsenal were 'too nice' against Stoke City at the weekend, in a lukewarm performance that they have repeated too often in what will be another trophyless season.

The right-back believes the team were exposed by their lack of hunger and defensive quality at the Britannia Stadium, as Kenwyne Jones, Jermaine Pennant and Jon Walters all scored in a 3-1 win that ended any slim Premier League title hopes the Gunners may have still had.

"We are too nice. We have to fight a bit more," Sagna told Arsenal TV Online. "We have to push them as much as they push us and be a bit more killer. We are not defending as well as we have to and against big players like Stoke have, it is very difficult.

"We have to put in performances week after week and fight even more.

"We didn't give enough. We didn't play as we can and that is what happens when you don't give the maximum - you get beaten everywhere."

However, the France international believes the faults are not endemic and can be fixed by manager Arsene Wenger.

"It can be put right on the training ground because it is in our mind," he said. "We know we are very good players, but sometimes we have to fight a bit more."

While the title may be out of reach once again, the Gunner should still qualify automatically for next season's Champions League - as long as they hold off fourth-placed Manchester City over the remaining games of the season.

Sagna believes that would be a consolation of sorts after another disappointing campaign.

"Many would like to be in the Champions League but it is not enough, certainly, but the season has not been for nothing," he said.

"It could have been a lot more, but you can see it is the toughest league in the world and we were very close, but we have to add what we miss."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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