Post by Alexandra on Sept 11, 2008 20:17:16 GMT 1
Gaël Clichy (born July 26, 1985 in Toulouse) is a French football player, who currently plays for Arsenal of the Premier League. He is Arsenal's first-choice left back and can also play on the left-hand-side of midfield.
Biography
Signed by Arsène Wenger in the summer of 2003 from AS Cannes for £250,000, Clichy plays the position of left back for Arsenal, although he had to be content with playing understudy to England international Ashley Cole during his first three seasons at the club.
His 12 appearances in the Premiership in Arsenal's victorious 2003–04 season were enough to earn him a winners medal. In doing so, he set the record for youngest winner of a Premiership champions medal.
After Ashley Cole suffered a fractured foot in October 2005, it seemed that Clichy would earn some valuable first-team action during Cole's time out; indeed, with rumours linking Cole with a transfer to Spain, it seemed that Clichy could make a strong case for continual first-team action. However Clichy ironically suffered an injury identical to Cole's, leaving Arsenal with a crisis at the left-back position.
Clichy returned to first team action on April 25, 2006 in a Champions League semi-final against Villarreal, and came on as a substitute for the injured Mathieu Flamini. Clichy suffered a re-occurrence of his injury and missed the end of the season including the Champions League Final, and would not return to the first team until 14 October 2006.
When Cole left for Chelsea in August 2006, Clichy became the first choice left-back at Arsenal. As Cole's understudy, Clichy made 62 appearances (including 39 in the league) for Arsenal in three seasons. In the season which followed Cole's departure, Clichy made 27 league appearances in a total of 40, and has since become Arsenal's first-choice left back. In the 2007–08 season, Clichy was selected in the PFA Team of the Year as left back. This fine form was rewarded on 20 June 2008, when he signed a new "long-term" contract. He came in second in the Arsenal fans' poll for Player of the Season. He captained Arsenal for the first time against Barnet in Arsenal's first preseason game of 2008–09.
International career
In 2007 he was called up for the French national squad. He was called up again in January 2008, for the French game against Spain, and the 5 February 2008 B friendly against Congo DR.
Clichy made his senior international debut for France on 10 September 2008 in their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
Near death experience
In his early years, after climbing over a metal fence, a ring he was wearing got caught and tore his finger off. He had a seven-hour operation to sew it back on, but during the operation, his heart stopped beating due to a problem with his lungs. After 15 seconds it restarted and, thankfully, he recovered. Doctors described it as a "miracle" that Clichy survived. His mother had the resources to help him recover after years of experience in medical school as a nurse.
Style of play
Clichy is one of the most attacking full backs in the Premier League. As one of the fastest players in the Premiership, he is never hesitant to overlap his left midfielder, usually Tomáš Rosický, and join in with the attack. Gaël contributes to a lot of goals via crosses from advanced positions on the left wing. His dribbling has improved immensely since his arrival at Arsenal and the natural width he provides gives more attacking options to the team. Defensively, Clichy has matured with every match. Although he can be light on the tackle and get caught out of position due to his attacking nature his tackling has vastly improved recently and so has his positioning so he gets caught out of position less.
Career honours
Arsenal
* Winner
o Premier League: 2003–04
o FA Cup: 2004–05
o Amsterdam Tournament: 2005, 2007, 2008
o Emirates Cup: 2007
* Runner-up
o Champions League: 2005–06
o Premier League: 2004–05
Personal
* Member of PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08
Biography
Signed by Arsène Wenger in the summer of 2003 from AS Cannes for £250,000, Clichy plays the position of left back for Arsenal, although he had to be content with playing understudy to England international Ashley Cole during his first three seasons at the club.
His 12 appearances in the Premiership in Arsenal's victorious 2003–04 season were enough to earn him a winners medal. In doing so, he set the record for youngest winner of a Premiership champions medal.
After Ashley Cole suffered a fractured foot in October 2005, it seemed that Clichy would earn some valuable first-team action during Cole's time out; indeed, with rumours linking Cole with a transfer to Spain, it seemed that Clichy could make a strong case for continual first-team action. However Clichy ironically suffered an injury identical to Cole's, leaving Arsenal with a crisis at the left-back position.
Clichy returned to first team action on April 25, 2006 in a Champions League semi-final against Villarreal, and came on as a substitute for the injured Mathieu Flamini. Clichy suffered a re-occurrence of his injury and missed the end of the season including the Champions League Final, and would not return to the first team until 14 October 2006.
When Cole left for Chelsea in August 2006, Clichy became the first choice left-back at Arsenal. As Cole's understudy, Clichy made 62 appearances (including 39 in the league) for Arsenal in three seasons. In the season which followed Cole's departure, Clichy made 27 league appearances in a total of 40, and has since become Arsenal's first-choice left back. In the 2007–08 season, Clichy was selected in the PFA Team of the Year as left back. This fine form was rewarded on 20 June 2008, when he signed a new "long-term" contract. He came in second in the Arsenal fans' poll for Player of the Season. He captained Arsenal for the first time against Barnet in Arsenal's first preseason game of 2008–09.
International career
In 2007 he was called up for the French national squad. He was called up again in January 2008, for the French game against Spain, and the 5 February 2008 B friendly against Congo DR.
Clichy made his senior international debut for France on 10 September 2008 in their 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Serbia.
Near death experience
In his early years, after climbing over a metal fence, a ring he was wearing got caught and tore his finger off. He had a seven-hour operation to sew it back on, but during the operation, his heart stopped beating due to a problem with his lungs. After 15 seconds it restarted and, thankfully, he recovered. Doctors described it as a "miracle" that Clichy survived. His mother had the resources to help him recover after years of experience in medical school as a nurse.
Style of play
Clichy is one of the most attacking full backs in the Premier League. As one of the fastest players in the Premiership, he is never hesitant to overlap his left midfielder, usually Tomáš Rosický, and join in with the attack. Gaël contributes to a lot of goals via crosses from advanced positions on the left wing. His dribbling has improved immensely since his arrival at Arsenal and the natural width he provides gives more attacking options to the team. Defensively, Clichy has matured with every match. Although he can be light on the tackle and get caught out of position due to his attacking nature his tackling has vastly improved recently and so has his positioning so he gets caught out of position less.
Career honours
Arsenal
* Winner
o Premier League: 2003–04
o FA Cup: 2004–05
o Amsterdam Tournament: 2005, 2007, 2008
o Emirates Cup: 2007
* Runner-up
o Champions League: 2005–06
o Premier League: 2004–05
Personal
* Member of PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08
source: wikipedia.org
It is incredible to think that 2007/08 was Gael’s first full season as Arsenal’s No 1 left back. Two terms ago, the Frenchman had missed the start of the campaign with another injury.
They plagued his early Arsenal career so it is no wonder Arsène Wenger said Clichy’s main achievement last season was completing so many games. However he did much, much more than that.
Gael was one of the most consistent performers showing pace, tenacity and the desire to get forward as much as possible.
It is no surprise he was the runner-up for the Player of the Season award.
Clichy had barely played for Cannes before he was spotted by Wenger’s scouting network. He shadowed Ashley Cole for a couple of seasons and became the youngest player to win a Premiership medal in 2004 at the age of 18.
Now 23, Clichy is already one of the mainstays of Wenger’s side.
They plagued his early Arsenal career so it is no wonder Arsène Wenger said Clichy’s main achievement last season was completing so many games. However he did much, much more than that.
Gael was one of the most consistent performers showing pace, tenacity and the desire to get forward as much as possible.
It is no surprise he was the runner-up for the Player of the Season award.
Clichy had barely played for Cannes before he was spotted by Wenger’s scouting network. He shadowed Ashley Cole for a couple of seasons and became the youngest player to win a Premiership medal in 2004 at the age of 18.
Now 23, Clichy is already one of the mainstays of Wenger’s side.
source: arsenal.com