Bacary Sagna has explained why he quit Arsenal for Manchester City.

The France international made 284 appearances for Arsenal before leaving for pastures new at the end of his contract, but says that his move up north was strictly professional.

“Many people didn't understand why I left but I'm going to clear this up one more time," he told Arsenal Player. “It's not about the money because I stayed with Arsenal for six years on the same contract, I never asked for anything.

“I just needed a new challenge and I needed to challenge myself and I think it was the right time for me to leave and when I eventually did it was really difficult because Pablo Zabaleta was one of the main players of the team and the first year was quite difficult for me, but I kept training hard and during the second year I was one of the players who played the most and I think I did well."