Starstruck: Artturi Lehkonen on Bacary Sagna

MONTREAL - If you follow Artturi Lehkonen on social media, you know that Premier League powerhouse Arsenal has always been his favorite soccer club. It just so happens that former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna - who Lehkonen has long-admired - recently joined the Montreal Impact. With that in mind, we asked Lehkonen to give us a scouting report on the Impact's new addition.

What do you remember most about watching Bacary Sagna play for Arsenal?
ARTTURI LEHKONEN:I have good memories. He was really good with Arsenal. He was one of the best players on the team. His crossing skills and ability to get the ball in the box were outstanding. He's been outstanding during his whole career. He played right-back, and he was pretty amazing.
Have you ever seen seen him play live?
AL: Yeah, he was in the lineup for Arsenal at the 2014 FA Cup Final, when they beat Hull to end the drought they had. There were many years when Arsenal didn't win a trophy, but I was there at Wembley Stadium in London when they finally did. It was awesome. That was my favorite live soccer moment ever.
How long have you been an Arsenal fan?
AL: Pretty much all my life. My dad is an Arsenal fan, so that's how I got into Arsenal and the Premier League. Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp were two guys I liked the most in the Premier League.

So how would you describe Bacary as a player?
AL:He's really reliable. He played at the highest level for many years. He knows what it takes to win. He's also won the Football League Cup with Manchester City.
For hockey fans in Montreal who may not follow soccer closely, is there a Hab you could best compare his style of play to?
AL:That's a tough question. It would have to be a defenseman. I would say Jeff Petry in that he's really reliable. He's also good both ways - offensively and defensively. Bacary is not a big guy, but he runs well, and he's fast. On our end, Petey is a good skater, so I guess Bacary reminds me most of Jeff Petry.

A couple of years ago, a legend from Arsenal's main rival Chelsea, Didier Drogba, lit up the MLS with the Impact. Do you think Sagna will likewise star in the league?
AL: Well, they play different positions. Drogba is a striker and has the ability to score big goals, but Sagna can create things both offensively and defensively. I'm sure he will have an impact with Montreal.
Are we pretty much guaranteed to catch you at Stade Saputo in person now, this fall?
AL:Yeah, that would be a lot of fun. It depends on the Canadiens schedule, but I would definitely love to go.