'I love the passion of the Premier League'

By Chris Harris

Gael Clichy believes the nature of the challenge that faces Arsenal this Saturday is what makes English football great.

The French left-back and his team-mates will have to roll up their sleeves against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium and, in modern football parlance, 'earn the right' to play their natural game.

But Clichy is not one to shy away from the muscular test that awaits against Tony Pulis' side. Indeed, the 24-year-old insists that the Premier League would not be the same without the passion and intensity of teams like Stoke.

"I think the Premier League is one of the best, for me, leagues in the world and that goes with the referees and the physical play," said Clichy.

"Maybe for some people it’s too much sometimes, but once you play in England I believe you can play anywhere else because the intensity of the game is really quick, you have strong and fast players with quick feet and they know how to play as a unit.

"What I like about English football is really the passion that you find outside football and in the crowd and on the pitch. Yes, it’s a pleasure to play in this league."

Clichy and company know exactly what to expect when they kick off against Stoke on Saturday but the Frenchman is confident that Arsenal have what it takes to leave the Potteries with three priceless points.

"We know Stoke's qualities, we know they are really hyped to play against Arsenal or any big team in the league and it’s another challenge," said Clichy.

"It’s not the same type of football you will get when you play Man United or Chelsea but they’re quality and they use their weapon quite well. We know because we lost the last two games there, and we want to show to fans - because they’re always there when we play away – that this time, even if Stoke are really strong, we can be as strong and play good football.

"We know if we play from the first to the last minute the way we know, the Arsenal way, it’s going to be fine. So I’m really looking forward to the game."

[Friday, February 26, 2010]

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