Gael Force Wins

On a day that the ever more incestuous trade in transfer rumours had linked him with both Roma and Juventus Gael Clichy responded in the best way possible by signing a new long term deal.

Still a month short of his 23rd birthday the PFA left back of the year has already made 146 appearances for the gunners in his 5 years with the club. In the process he became the Premierships youngest ever winner of a Premier League championship medal. The Arsenal club website notes that with 49 out of a possible 58 appearances last season he made more than any other player following some bad luck with injuries in earlier seasons.

Signed in 2003 from AS Cannes for a reported £250,000 the player has proved to be a real fan`s favourite with his trademark swashbuckling runs down the left flank.

Following the announcements in the last month that Bacary Sagna and Alex Song have also signed extended agreements it gives a welcome respite from the barrage of distortions fed us by the football media.