FORMER Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna has revealed he would love to see Paul Pogba join the club at the end of his doping ban.
Pogba is currently serving an 18-month suspension having tested positive for prohibited substance DHEA last August.
Paul Pogba has been tipped to join Arsenal by a former Gunner[/caption]
Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna believes Pogba would be a great addition to Mikel Arteta’s side[/caption]
He was first handed a four-year ban but that was recently shortened to 18 months.
The Frenchman is now set to make a return in March 2025.
Pogba is still under contract with Juventus and hopes to compete for his place in the squad on his return.
However, ex-France international Sagna believes he would be a great fit for Arsenal.
Speaking to Paddy Power, the former Gunners right-back said: “The Premier League suits Paul Pogba – I would love to see him joining Arsenal.
“It would be great – he has experience; he loves to play with young players around him – that is when he is most efficient.
“At the 2018 World Cup, that was when he was most efficient – he had friends around him.
“Arsenal have a young, fresh team, and I see him performing in an Arsenal shirt. He will get love from their fans.
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Arsenal ratings vs Shakhtar: Jesus reminds fans of his quality but Trossard flops for poor Gunners
ARSENAL continued their unbeaten run in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk – but it was far from a convincing performance.
Gabriel Martinelli orchestrated the decisive goal when his low-driven strike hit the post and deflected in off the back of goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Gunners…
DAVID RAYA – 7
Seldom asked to do much aside from recycle the ball to Gabriel or Saliba until the final stages
Pushed a potentially dangerous cross out of danger in the 84th minute. Pulled out a magnificent low save in injury time before claiming a dangerous cross to keep his clean sheet.
BEN WHITE – 6
Back in at right-back today and played as if he had never been out of the team.
Received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Subbed at half-time for Mikel Merino.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
In the team after his red card against Bournemouth, played like his typically assured self marshalling the defence.
One or two sloppy passes late in the second half but otherwise can have no complaints with another solid performance.
GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5
Sloppily gave the ball away to hand the visitors a dangerous chance out of nothing. Had another lapse just after the opener but in the end he was bailed out by Calafiori.
Marked improvement in the second half.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Skied a golden chance over the bar after six minutes. Tested the goalkeeper again after 24 minutes.
Dragged his foot and went down injured after skipping under a tackle in the 67th minute. Replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly in 71st minute.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Comfortable evening in midfield for him. Recycled the ball well when at his feet and kept play ticking over.
Moved to right back as White was hooked but didn’t have too many worries. When he was caught out of position Rice was able to cover.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Like Partey, he had a quiet night in midfield with Shakhtar unable to retain meaningful possession.
Moved into the six as White was hooked and Partey moved to right-back. Cut out a dangerous low cross at the edge of the area.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Nothing quite went right for him all night with some sloppy touches ending attacks and putting Arsenal in trouble.
Summed up his night by missing a 77th minute penalty and was hooked in the 88th minute.
GABRIEL JESUS – 8
Wore the captain’s armband and looked bright down the right wing.
Denied a well-deserved goal by the feet of the keeper in the 43rd minute after Havertz played him in.
Second half saw more good link play, but never had another chance to end his goal drought as he was replaced by Sterling in the 68th minute.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Grew into the game following a quiet start and was rewarded with a goal, of sorts, after 30 minutes.
Brazilian cut inside from the left wing before firing a shot to the near post before the shot rebounded off the woodwork and hit the goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk to go in the net.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Centimeters away from getting Arsenal’s second in the 39th minute after Jesus squared a volley back across goal.
Returned the favour to set up his team-mate moments later only for the goalkeeper to prevent a goal.
Won a free-kick at the very end of the game to run the clock down.
SUBS
Mikel Merino (on for White HT) – 6
Some nice touches and stitched play together well. A solid yet unspectacular performance.
Raheem Sterling (on for Jesus 68 mins) – 6
Tried to play on the shoulder of the last man but did not have the pace find the clear cut chance he would have liked.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (on for Calafiori 71 mins) – 6
Slotted in at left-back and was not afraid to show for the ball but often did not receive it while tucking infield.
Jorginho (on for Trossard 88 mins) – N/A
“Now, he can start from scratch again – he’s had time away from football, and he’ll be back with a desire to get back into a good space and play football again.”
Pogba discussed his doping ban for the first time last week and insisted: “I am not a cheater.”
He told Sky Sports: “I accept responsibility of taking the supplement but I didn’t triple check it – even if it came from a professional.
“If I have to be punished, then I’m fine with it. But it should never have been four years. I will accept 12 months.
“When you see me, you know me. People know me.
“So even when everything happened people said: ‘we know Paul, he would never take that. If he did, he wouldn’t have known and it won’t have been on purpose’.
“And this it totally the truth. I’m an honest person, I would say it.”
He added: “I am not a cheater, I am someone that loves my sport. I love the game and I would never, ever. I like to win fairly and people know that.
“You see me. I’m a bad loser, but I am not a cheater – that’s for sure.”
Before returning to Juventus in 2022, Pogba spent six years at Manchester United.
