22. Gael Clichy

It is incredible to think that 2007/08 was Gael’s first full season as Arsenal’s No 1 left back. Two terms ago, the Frenchman had missed the start of the campaign with another injury.

They plagued his early Arsenal career so it is no wonder Arsène Wenger said Clichy’s main achievement last season was completing so many games. However he did much, much more than that.

Gael was one of the most consistent performers showing pace, tenacity and the desire to get forward as much as possible.

It is no surprise he was the runner-up for the Player of the Season award.

Clichy had barely played for Cannes before he was spotted by Wenger’s scouting network. He shadowed Ashley Cole for a couple of seasons and became the youngest player to win a Premiership medal in 2004 at the age of 18.

Now 23, Clichy is already one of the mainstays of Wenger’s side.

 

MY YEAR

October

Gael didn’t miss a second of the action in October as he started and finished all six of the month’s games. The fleet-footed full back was in fine form throughout the month in both defence and attack. The Frenchman’s October highlights were two goal-line clearances, one against Everton on the 14th and one against Fenerbahce three days later.

September

September 2008 is a month that will live long in the memory of Gael Clichy. On the 10th the defender finally made his debut for France, lining up alongside fellow Gunners William Gallas and Bacary Sagna against Serbia in Les Bleus’ 2-1 victory at the Stade de France. The fleet-footed full-back was lucky to escape serious injury later in the month when he was the victim of a strong Kevin Davies challenge at the Reebok Stadium. Fortunately what was feared to be a break was only severe bruising.

August

There are a host of parallels between the two full-backs. Like Sagna, Clichy made last season’s Premier League select X1 and, like Sagna, Clichy didn't miss a kick in August. The diminutive left-back was instrumental as Arsenal helped themselves to four clean-sheets out of five during the month. Clichy will be hoping to finally make his international debut in September’s World Cup qualifiers. He said: “It’s a big thing for me. When you are called up it means you are one of the 20 best players in France."

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