Wenger is the key in Sagna deal

He has signed a five-year deal at the Emirates worth £25,000 a week and will wear the No 3 shirt vacated by Ashley Cole following his departure to Chelsea last season.

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The 24-year-old said the chance to work with Arsene Wenger and link up with some former team-mates had convinced him to join Arsenal.

"He (Wenger) showed his determination when he wanted to attract me to the club when we spoke recently," said Sagna.

"The fact that he personally contacted me, the fact that this is such a big club and he has made so much effort to recruit me, it has seduced me.

"I'm excited to be playing alongside many great players. I know Abou Diaby from our time together at Auxerre and also Gael Clichy and Mathieu Flamini from the French Under 21 team."

Sagna, whose fee could rise by a further £1.3m depending on performances, is most at home at right back having been voted the best player in France in that position last season. But he can play across the back four or as a defensive midfielder.

Wenger said: "He is a very capable defender and has played consistently well for Auxerre in recent seasons. 'He is strong, quick and enjoys defending but also has a good offensive side to his game. He has a fighting spirit and will be a very good addition to our squad."

His arrival is likely to see Emmanuel Eboue pushed into right midfield with Freddie Ljungberg tipped to leave for Fiorentina. It also means Justin Hoyte's future is unclear. He is attracting interest from Reading.