Arsenal's Invisible Man: Bacary Sagna Epitomizes How Football Should Be Played

There was one moment in Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup,  that defined the true Arsenal spirit that has been lacking in recent weeks by a number of key Arsenal players and potentially even manager Arsene Wenger himself. Just over the half hour mark in a thrilling contest, United lead 1-0 thanks to a Fabio touch in.

The Gunners clear a Manchester United corner and Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna found himself on the North London giant's left hand side. The clearance ensured the ball was almost certain to bounce out of play, none the less the careful presence of Sagna eyed the ball as it's speed gradually stemmed.

A charging Wayne Rooney then took it upon himself to smash the ball well into the Old Trafford stands, but not before the Englishman went straight through Bacary Sagna. Rooney is a strong, powerful striker, the 25-year-old may not exactly be tall at 5ft10, but Rooney is an imposing presence, and clatterring into the smaller, lighter Sagna, resulted in the Frenchman smashing into the Old Trafford officials area.

It was by no means and illegal challenge by Rooney, far from it, the Englishman did manage to make a heavy connection with the ball. However it was unnecessary, the former Everton striker did not even pause to help Sagna to his feet.

It ceased to matter, the French international merely looked up to the sky, took a deep breath and arose to his feet, mind fully focused on the task at hand. Many players would have been visibly shaken, if not injured, by the force of the challenge from Rooney whilst others would have reacted poorly, Abou Diaby like if you may.

However Sagna immediately eroded the incident from his recollection and continued on, enjoying a strong came, unlike many of his teammates. The incident epitomizes the attitude Sagna conveys week in week out, consistently performing for the Wenger as the Gunner strive for silverware in a bid to diminish their notorious five season trophy drought.

Since arriving to the Emirates from French giants Auxerre in the Summer of 2007 for €9 million Sagna has been one of the most consistent presences at right back in the English Premier League. After a stellar debut season for the Gunners, which had 40 appearances in all competitions, resulting in selection in the PFA Team of the Year, the French fullback has continued to uphold a quality style of play as well as maintaining fitness.

Sagna's no nonsense yet elegant defending, which thrives on speed, agility and a strong tackle, has thwarted some of the best attackers in World Football. The Frenchman is a tireless worker who constantly surges forward, contributing impressively in the exciting Arsenal attack. Granted at times fans and critics alike have criticized his occasionally wayward crossing but predominantly the 28-year-old is a shinning light in the vast array of talent that is conveyed at North London.

But it's not just Sagna's energetic, fearless play that is consistently performed each week, the Frenchman's temperament that is also to be admired. The Arsenal defender is by no means a dirty player, never does World Football witness a reckless two footed lunge or an unnecessary charge.

It's not to say Sagna is never reprimanded. This season the former Auxerre defender has acquired to red cards. Once in the UEFA Champions League for two debatable yellow cards whilst the other was a straight red card against Manchester City in January.

Late in the match Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta and Sagna endured a rash tangle of legs. The pair then went on to exchange heated words with their heads clashing, Sagna evidently the more inflamed. Both were issued red cards however Zabaleta's was later revoked as the Argentine appeared not the headbutt Sagna.

Sagna's headbutt was tame and feeble but none the less warranted a red card. It was a rare sight by the Frenchman, who later admitted that Zabaleta had been abusing him throughout the came and that Sagna was constantly prone to taunts. When Arsenal encountered Birmingham City during the same month, Lee Bowyer stamped and then scraped the leg of Sagna purely because the Frenchman had been dominating the experienced English midfielder.

If anyone deserves the satisfaction of silverware that the hungry Arsenal are desperate for, it's Bacary Sagna.