Ex-Arsenal star denies rumours that he wanted Man City exit

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Manchester City full-back Bacary Sagna has denied rumours that he was considering leaving the Etihad Stadium due to a lack of first-team action.

The defender has emerged as a key player for the Citizens this season, and has been an ever-present in Manuel Pellegrini’s side this term. Indeed, not only has Sagna been present, he has shone, emerging as a key man as the Sky Blues tore into the lead in the Premier League title race.

However, it hasn’t always been the case, and indeed, since moving to the Etihad Stadium in 2014, he has often spent much of his time at the club playing second fiddle to imperious Argentine defender Pablo Zabaleta.

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Perhaps naturally, there have been rumours that Sagna, 32, has been itching for a departure from Manchester in order not to waste his talent as a reserve in Pellegrini’s outfit.

However, in an interview with the Manchester Evening News [via Goal], the France international has insisted that he has never considered quitting the club.

“I never thought about it [leaving] because I came here for the challenge,” he began.

“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. 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.”

City currently sit top of the Premier League despite a 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Saturday, with a trip to Tottenham coming up this weekend, but Sagna insists he is only focusing on himself as the games come thick and fast.

”I’m trying to play as well as possible, to be as good defensively as possible.

“I’m trying to be decisive going forwards, but most of all I want to be consistent for the team and provide security.”

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