Arsenal-Mania

Clichy in contract talks

By Jonathan Chong on Friday, May 16, 2008

Defender Gaël Clichy has given some much-needed good news to Arsenal fans by revealing that he is about to put pen to paper on a new contract.

Clichy is looking to sign a four-year contract and the move will put off interest from the likes of Juventus and AC Milan.

The Frenchman did stress however that the length of the new contract is down to manager Arsčne Wenger's own remaining time at the club.

He said: "We're at the end of our discussions.

"Everything's going well because my intention is clear: I want to stay at Arsenal.

"I would love to have a career here like Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, to stay many years at Arsenal and leave my mark on the club.

"I've been in London for five years. If everything goes well I will stay here for at least eight years."

"We're talking about a further two years. And in that period, the coach will still be at the club.

"It's him who brought me here; it's him who built this young team.

"It's a superb plan to throw yourself into the future with this group here.

"I never hesitated, not at all. Arsenal is one of the great clubs in Europe.

"For youngsters it's ideal, the coach gets our career's going, gives us confidence. We're playing in a passionate championship, the best in the world. So there's everything together."

User Comments

12

Baz the Gooner

Posted on 20 May, 2008 at 04:07 PM - Reply

Gael - you have really made left back your own special place. With Kolo, William and Bacary you are part of a solid Arsenal defence AND you have pace to turn defence into attack in a second. Merci, mon ami!

11

Khobe Innis

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 06:46 PM - Reply

Personally, I think that he shouldn't move and most likely all arsenal fans would never want him 2 move he is a great player 4 us so why would he want to move. WE LOVE HIM!!!!

10

agee

Posted on 18 May, 2008 at 05:51 PM - Reply

i think its a good thing that clichy has put pen to paper, he's been one of our most influential players over the past two seasons.we the fans should always acknowledge this fact.

9

ba zdyer

Posted on 17 May, 2008 at 01:24 AM - Reply

I was one of the guys who thought once Ashley Cole left we would need to spend BIG money, however Gael has been simply a revelation and i generally believe his will be one of the world great left backs, a long term contract is exactly what he deserves, my personal tiny concern is as much as i like the look of Traore is he a first team player at 18 if Clichy gets injured?? never doubt Mr Wenger

8

BOY BETTER KNOW......67 million for...

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 10:39 PM - Reply

What a refreshing piece of news this is.I don't know about you lot but its the first thing that has cheered me up about arsenal since the loss to birmingham,you know what i mean.What can i say about Gael Clichy for me he is just going to get better and better and soon as you know it barcelona will be sniffing around him next season.If he continues to progress there is know dought he will get that call up for his national team ahead of evra.

7

Dan

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 03:48 PM - Reply

Best Left Back in the World. You heard it here first.

6

zaka

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 03:04 PM - Reply

yeah..clichy.. you can see clichy is a player who is ready to feed back arsenal and also the fans..we need that kind of a player who's always have respecy for the team ....not like a flamini

5

Lukic

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 02:38 PM - Reply

great character, great integrity

4

kelvin

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 01:20 PM - Reply

i support clichy's comment or remark about wenger he's a coach to look up to before any decision is taken.

3

spidey

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 01:13 PM - Reply

he is not only brilliant on the pitch, but off the pitch as well.

2

oli

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 11:07 AM - Reply

Does anyone get the impression we're almost a stepping stones for youngsters onto 'bigger' clubs? I thought clichy would be one to stay for almost his whole career, by the sounds of it probaly not.

1

adeshomoye

Posted on 16 May, 2008 at 10:21 AM - Reply

If only more players had this attitude. And this is a player that knows he might be under severe pressure from Armand Traore from next season. Instead of whining he has the confidence and the ambition to stay and win something! I hope he doesn't catch the bug and become big headed too.