Wenger: Sagna will stay at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has reiterated his belief fullback Bacary Sagna will remain in north London, despite the player’s critical comments.

France international Sagna has been tipped with a move away from the Emirates Stadium after giving in an interview in which he criticised the club for allowing the departure of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie in the last two seasons.

Although unhappy with Sagna’s negative comments, Wenger is confident the defender is satisfied with his situation and will commit his future to the English Premier League team.

“I believe any player or any employee always has to defend the company he works for,” Wenger told reporters.

“If he (Sagna) is not completely happy with it, then he has to go somewhere else. That is what I say to everybody.

“You have to defend your company. But Bacary loves the club and he will stay here.

“I expect him to stay and I want him to stay. We want to extend his contract. He has two years left, so his contract ends when he is 31. Of course, we cannot give him five years.”

Wenger also dismissed rumours linking Arsenal with a shock move for veteran striker Didier Drogba, who is reportedly unhappy in China after leaving Chelsea for Shanghai Shenhua.

“At the moment, no,” Wenger said when quizzed on a potential move for the Ivory Coast striker.

“In my opinion he is not free. He has just left England..

“I don’t know about the situation because he came out with a completely different statement.

“You hear he might go to Real Madrid – but then he says ‘I am staying in China’. Is it just because he wants to be paid off? I don’t know.”

Finally, Wenger praised the integration of new signing Santi Cazorla, who has wowed his colleagues since arriving from Malaga in August.

“Cazorla has gained the respect of everybody very quickly,” Wenger said.

“Cazorla is humble, he loves the game and that is what you want from every football player.

“They talk on the pitch, don’t need to speak too much, just go on the pitch and show what you can do. That is what he does.”

Following the international break, Arsenal return to action at home to promoted Southampton on Saturday.