With the Gunners struggling after six defeats in nine games, Wenger is poised to announce a decision on his future as manager ahead of the crunch April 2 Premier League clash between the top-four rivals at the Emirates.
While some disgruntled fans and critics believe it is time for the 67-year-old to go after 21 years in charge when his contract ends this summer, Wenger could still sign a new one-year deal.
And compatriot Sagna, who spent seven seasons at Arsenal before joining City in 2014, said: “I would like him to stay. I associate Arsenal with his name.”
“At the moment I am quite sad for the manager because he doesn’t deserve what’s happening to him. He’s a great man and an institution for Arsenal. It’s not fair.”
“Sometimes you can have difficult moments but he’s always been there for the team.”
“For life I will be thankful to him because he brought me to England. And I will be thankful because even when I had tough moments, he always showed trust in me.”
“That’s why it’s quite difficult for me to see him in this position. But to me he is the man for this situation at Arsenal.”
“Of course the fans are disappointed because of the results. Anyone would be with what’s happened on the pitch. But they have quality players, players who can react, players who are part of the Champions League every season.”
“They can beat anyone. Maybe commitment-wise they were not that confident and without that confidence it’s difficult to play. They remain a good team and dangerous to play against.”
“Whenever you have a hard time you just have to step up and that’s what they will try to do against us. Yes they are having a tough moment, but the players can turn it around. Hopefully they will not do it against us because I want to be part of a good season for this team.”
“So of course, I will go there wanting to win.”
Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool has intensified the battle for the Champions League places. Just nine points separate second-placed Spurs from Everton down in seventh.
City are third, seven points clear of sixth-placed Arsenal, and Sagna admits it will be a defining period for the Etihad outfit after the international break, especially following their last-16 exit from the Champions League in Monaco.
“Yes, it’s going to be even more vital to come back after the break even stronger,” he added. “We had to react after Monaco and I think it was a good reaction.”
“We need to go to Arsenal and win the game because we want to be part of the Champions League again next season. It’s going to be difficult to catch Chelsea – it’s maybe too far – but we want to be qualifying for the Champions League.”
“We have to go and give a good performance, stick together and keep working hard.”
“They (Arsenal) will come back fresh, they’ll have two weeks to think about their national teams and to reflect on the way they want to end the season, so they are going to be strong. We can’t expect them to give up.”
“We want to give the maximum until the end of the season. We have to show what we showed against Liverpool and take some points.”
Sagna was due to join up with the France squad yesterday but has been ruled out with a groin injury and has been replaced by Lyon’s Christophe Jallet. Pablo Zabaleta will also miss Argentina’s qualifiers with Chile and Bolivia with a slight muscle tear, but is hoping to return to action for the trip to Arsenal.
City, meanwhile, will host neighbours United on Thursday, April 27, and visit Middlesbrough three days later as part of rearranged fixtures.
