Sagna eyes third place

Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna is desperate for his side to pip Tottenham to third place in the English Premier League.

Spurs defeated Arsenal 2-1 on October 2, a defeat that left Arsenal languishing in 15th place on the league table and was compounded by Sagna breaking his leg.

But a stunning turnaround in results has seen them climb above their north London neighbours and they now appear on course to finish in the automatic Champions League places.

Since Sagna’s re-introduction to the first-team, Arsenal have won seven of their last 10 in all competitions.

Sagna feels that a top-three finish would be the perfect way to get over his devastating injury.

“It has marked me forever. It was the first big injury of my career,” Sagna told Arsenal Magazine.

“I knew straight away that it was serious. I heard a crack and the pain I felt was horrendous.

“It felt like my leg was totally bent and I knew immediately that I would be out for a while.

“When I arrived at the hospital, they told me I needed surgery. For 10 minutes I felt really low, with tears in my eyes.”

Sagna marked the start of an incredible comeback against Spurs on February 26 by scoring with a smart header as the Gunners came from 2-0 down to win 5-2.

Arsenal have now won four of their last five league games after coming from behind, something that pleases the Frenchman.

“Mentally it shows how strong we are. We have matured a lot since the start of the season,” he said.