Player Profile

22. Gael Clichy

Go

Gael Clichy is quite simply one of the finest left-backs in Europe.

The Frenchman had barely played for Cannes before he was spotted by Arsène Wenger’s scouting network in 2003. He shadowed Ashley Cole for a couple of seasons and became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal in 2004 at the age of 18.

Injuries hampered his progress for a while – he sustained an identical injury to Cole when the England man’s absence looked like giving Gael his chance – but his patience was eventually rewarded when Cole left for Chelsea in the summer of 2006.

Now Gael is one of the mainstays of Wenger’s side. Fleet of foot, quick of brain and blessed with a great engine, the 24-year-old is a consistent, tenacious performer in defence. He loves to get forward too and finally broke his Arsenal duck last season with a goal at Stoke.

Gael achieved another notable first last term – he made his senior debut for France in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Paris.

The left-back missed the business end of the 2008/09 campaign through injury and he will look to make amends this season. With Kolo Toure gone, he is the most senior member of the ‘Invincibles’ squad still at Arsenal.

 

MY YEAR

October

Gael played four times for the Gunners in October. He missed the 3-1 home win over Birmingham after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty and also sat out the Carling Cup win over Liverpool as Arsène Wenger gave some of the Club's younger players an opportunity. The 3-0 win over Spurs marked Gael's 200th appearance for the Club.

September

Gael played in each of Arsenal's games in September with the exception of the Carling Cup clash with West Brom, helping the side win four of those matches and keep clean sheets against Fulham, Wigan and Olympiacos.

August

Gael Clichy started four of Arsenal's matches in August and claimed an assist in the Champions League Play-Off first leg against Celtic at Parkhead. It was Clichy's dangerous cross that Gary Caldwell turned into his own net to give Arsenal their second away goal of the night.

22. Gael Clichy - Full Arsenal Record

  Prem Lge Europe FA Cup Lge Cup C. Shield Total
Player Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl
2003-2004 7+5 0 1 0 1+3 0 5 0 0 0 14+8 0
2004-2005 7+8 0 1+1 0 5 0 1 0 0+1 0 14+10 0
2005-2006 5+2 0 2+2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7+4 0
2006-2007 26+1 0 5+1 0 3+2 0 1+1 0 0 0 35+5 0
2007-2008 37+1 0 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 48+1 0
2008-2009 30+1 1 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40+1 1
2009-2010 8 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Totals 120+18 1 34+4 0 10+5 0 7+1 0 0+1 0 171+29 1
Key:
  • Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
  • C. Shield = Community Shield
  • Europe = UEFA Champions League
  • Ap = Appearances
  • FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
  • Gl = Goals Scored
  • Lge Cup = Carling Cup
More Gael Clichy News
Print this page Email to a friend

Bookmark with…

Delicious Digg Reddit StumbleUpon

© Arsenal Broadband Limited 2009 - Terms of Use & Privacy Policy - Website accessibility statement - Site powered by NTT Europe Online | Rippleffect