Clichy happy with new defensive signing

Defender Gaël Clichy says that he's happy with new signing Laurent Koscielny, confident that the Frenchman can help plug the holes in the Arsenal defence.

We conceded an alarming number of goals last season, 41 in the league alone, the most embarassing of all came during a 3-2 capitulation to Wigan Athletic.

We were leading 2-0, and cruising, maybe a bit too much, when a number of defensive and particularly goalkeeping errors saw Wigan score three goals in the final 10 minutes to win the game.

Worryingly, it doesn't seem that the problems in defence have improved, with Arsenal conceding 3 goals in 2 games during the Emirates Cup.

With the departures of some experienced defenders - William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre - there is a shortage of numbers in that area, which manager Arsène Wenger is hoping to plug before the start of the season.

But whilst Koscielny has already impressed in pre-season, it will be crucial to see if he can step up to the mark when the real stuff starts.

Clichy said: "I think Laurent is going to be a good player for us.

"He is strong in the air and comfortable on the ball and that's what we need.

"Also Johan can play there [at centre back], Alex Song can too and Havard Nordtveit.

"So we're looking good – if the boss wants to add some players then he will but like I say we have a big squad and if we can all stay fit then we can do something."

"I've tried to do my bit and help the new guys settle in, that's your job and it's always easier to help being French-speaking, so I've done what I can.

"We're all here to help each other and, as we always say, it is a family here."

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