Clichy - Tomas is an artist... a magician

Gael Clichy played alongside Tomas Rosicky for five seasons at Arsenal, and had the opportunity to do so again on Saturday afternoon in Prague.



 

The Frenchman was one of a number of ex-Gunners who lined up in a friendly match between Czech and World XIs, and was quick to praise his former team-mate's qualities after the game – both on the pitch and off it.

 

“Football is losing a great one-off player,” Clichy told Arsenal Player. “I remember when he signed for Arsenal years ago, everyone was excited, so it’s pleasing to be here. He’s a friend, football is a game and moments like this weekend are forever.

 

“I was really pleased when I got the text from him to play this game, because I think the first two years I played with him were the best of my career.

 

“It’s easy to be a nice guy in football when you don't have quality, but when you are a talented guy like him, you don't seem many guys like him – humble and talented – you don't see that often. He’s a special player and special man.

 

“Everyone calls him the Little Mozart and I don't recall any player being called something like this. Of course he’s an artist, people might have forgotten what type of player he was, but he worked for the team as well as being a magician up front. He was complete.”