We're Gunner be wiser, says Sagna

When Sagna crowned his outstanding first season in English football by putting Gunners ahead against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Easter Sunday, they looked a good bet for the championship.

But Chelsea hit back to win with two Didier Drogba goals and Sagna badly damaged an ankle - putting him out for the rest of the campaign - and Wenger's side, minus several crocked stars, finished four points behind champions Manchester United.

This summer, Arsenal have been hit by the defections of key midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb.

But fit-again Sagna insists he has already seen enough in pre-season to suggest his side can still be a major force - with vital contributions from much-coveted striker Emmanuel Adebayor and new midfielder Samir Nasri.

Sagna, who made his comeback in Sunday's 1-0 Emirates Cup win over Real Madrid vowed: "We will try to be wiser.

"We need to show people we are still the Gunners and can win the title."

He admitted: "It was difficult for me personally to see my team-mates losing points (when he was injured), but it was not just me.

"Everything changes, players have to play in what is not their right positions and it is really difficult when you have to change things."

The France international, however, insists that things can only get better.

He said: "I am very happy because until now I have not been playing for five months. So it is great to be back here with all my mates.

"We have been getting better and better. We are playing quite well at the moment and have won against a top team like Real.

"We showed everyone we can still play well, even if we have lost some players.

"Now we have to win the title. We play to win everything and we will try to do it.

"Samir Nasri is a very good player and we are lucky to have signed him. I have played alongside him in the French national team and I know he will find his place in the Arsenal team."

Sagna also backed Nasri to step into the shoes vacated by Hleb: "I think he can do it and will show everyone he can play very well."

And Sagna insists the Adebayor controversy - after his decision to stay on and sign a new contract despite apparently being courted by Barcelona and Italy's AC Milan - is now firmly in the past.

"Everyone, the fans as well, are all very happy. He is a very good player and it is important for us to keep him," he said. "I am confident he can do it again and he wants to show he is always a good player.

"Even if people were speaking to him this summer, he stayed and that is good for us."