The last remaining member of the ‘Invincibles' squad left Arsenal for Manchester City in the summer of 2011.
Gael arrived at Highbury in 2003 having barely played for Cannes in France before he was spotted by Arsène Wenger's scouting network.
At the time Ashley Cole was Arsenal's first-choice left back so Gael learned his trade in the Reserves but it was clear he boasted the same qualities as the England international - a tenacious tackler who was fleet of foot, quick of brain and blessed with a great engine.
Gael shadowed Cole for a couple of seasons and became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal in 2004 at the age of 18.
His first-team chance came when Cole left for Chelsea in the summer of 2006 and, although injuries hampered his progress for a while, Gael soon became a mainstay of Wenger's side.
Goals were hard to come by - he broke his duck with a deflected effort at Stoke in 2008 and also netted against Leyton Orient in 2011 - but Gael supplemented the Arsenal attack with willing overlaps on the left.
He contributed the odd assist too, notably for Robin van Persie's equaliser against Barcelona in his final season with the Club.
Perhaps his finest campaign was 2007/08 when he played 49 matches - more than any other Arsenal player - and was voted into the PFA Team of the Year.
By the time he left in July 2011 Gael had made 264 appearances in all competitions.
"We would like to thank Gael for eight years of terrific service to Arsenal, during which time he gave absolutely everything for the Club," said Wenger. "He has grown and developed so much since joining us in 2003, and has been a crucial part of the team. He leaves with our respect and best wishes."
