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http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 04664.html?

Apparently we're about to sign him. Mental. Didn't see that coming.

I know he's had a bad season, but i'd take him. Much better than Kolarov. At least he gets forward well anyway. He'd do a job for £7m.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXDR-5D3 ... re=related

This was his performance against the best team in the world only last year. Could do with that dynamism and pace tbh...

It's no coincidence that he had his worse season last year when you look at Arsenal's team. Not a leader amongst them. Alongside proper battlers like Kompany and De Jong I reckon he'd excel.

that would be fantastic news imho. i think Clichy is talented, experienced and i like him a lot.

if this is true, it's the kind of activity we need -- under the radar, and not costing an arm and a leg for a talent with a solid few years in front of him.

hope this is actually true and not just good old fashioned bollox

cheers

He wouldn't take us to the next level but he would definitely strengthen the squad. I would be happy if he came.

Ditto - he's probs at the same level as Richards/Zabaleta really. Not world class, but definitely good.

Kolarov isn't as good/as suited to the premiership....as of yet. Competition for him would be good. Look how good it's made Richards and Zabaleta. Both constantly fighting each other for one spot. We need that.

Clichy isn't the best defensively, but he's still better than Kolarov/Bridge, and he's not got the best final ball, but he's still energetic and dangerous overlapping. He'd do a good job for us.

twosips wrote:Ditto - he's probs at the same level as Richards/Zabaleta really. Not world class, but definitely good.

Kolarov isn't as good/as suited to the premiership....as of yet. Competition for him would be good. Look how good it's made Richards and Zabaleta. Both constantly fighting each other for one spot. We need that.

Clichy isn't the best defensively, but he's still better than Kolarov/Bridge, and he's not got the best final ball, but he's still energetic and dangerous overlapping. He'd do a good job for us.

Pace. it's all about pace...he's got it, we need it.

cheers

bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

I'd be pleased with this signing. With him only having one year left on his contract, the final fee won't be too absurd either.

He's better Kolarov anyway, although admittedly we still need to see what Kolarov can offer this coming season. But as someone said above, having 2 full backs pushing for a starting spot should cause them to perform better.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

how does he compare with say....a certain German fullback who cannot defend?

i think Clichy would be a fine addition to the squad and be a very different look and feel than Kolarov. Kolarov may do something positive yet in the long-term. Underwhelming first season for sure tho to say the least.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:bottom line is that Clichy is yet another fullback who can't defend. He is better than Bridge but I wouldn't say he is much better than Kolarov. And I don't even rate Kolarov.

You say that every time we're linked with a full back, in fact you say it every time the qualities of a full back are being discussed.

You're also wrong. Clichy isn't particularly attack minded and is a defender first and foremost.

He'd be a great signing at the price being quoted.

He will improve the squad, end of story.

From where we are now there can be very few 'WOW' signings. Just looking for gradual improvement.

Are there any left backs who can defend?
Anyway it's great news and good business IMO

Now sjneider and nasri and we can call it a day :)

We definitely need to strengthen the defence, but I hope there's some activity going on with regards to a striker. We don't want holding to ransom around Christmas time again, when the weather starts getting cold and certain people decide they'd rather be sunning themselves in South America.

Yes please

http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=128722&start=240

Provided Wenger buys a replacement, many on there don't seem fussed about him leaving - they say he's inconsistent going forward and has stalled over the last two seasons.

I always rated him quite highly from the little I've seen. 7m seems kinder than spending 20m on Cissokho or Baines and the move/Mancini's coaching staff might rejuvenate him.

There is a lack of quality left backs around in the world in general. Clichy is an improvement on Kolorov, and any improvement is welcomed. Will be hard to massively improve on the players we currently have in general as there of high quality so every time we do improve it will be minimal but an improvement none the less.

At 7m, its great value and its a yes from me. One thing though we really need to ship bridge out, hvaing 3 high earning left backs on our wage bill is ridiculus.

I'd like to see him come for that price, certainly. We need a song caling Arsenal our feeder club though.

For £7m? Yes please.

Highlights what a daft fee we paid for Kolarov too. I agree with Doom (for once!), he adds pace and improves the squad. Not an elite player but at 25 he's at the right age, has umpteen games under his belt at the top level and represents value for money.

Esky wrote:http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=128722&start=240

Provided Wenger buys a replacement, many on there don't seem fussed about him leaving - they say he's inconsistent going forward and has stalled over the last two seasons.

I always rated him quite highly from the little I've seen. 7m seems kinder than spending 20m on Cissokho or Baines and the move/Mancini's coaching staff might rejuvenate him.

Of course they would say that now that he refused a new contract. :)

I would much rather have Clichy for 7m than see us give Gollum another 20+m for Baines!

In my opinion Clichy is still one of the best full backs in the League with Cole and Evra... Mancini will sort him out and get him to his best again... and fuck me I had no idea he is only 25.

If he has stalled a change of scenery could be just what he needs. I bet he gets back in the national side if he plays around half our games next season.

Esky wrote:http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=128722&start=240

Provided Wenger buys a replacement, many on there don't seem fussed about him leaving - they say he's inconsistent going forward and has stalled over the last two seasons.

I always rated him quite highly from the little I've seen. 7m seems kinder than spending 20m on Cissokho or Baines and the move/Mancini's coaching staff might rejuvenate him.

Agreed. Arsenal fans I know have been very critical of his performances for a long time so I would put the automatic 'better than Kolarov' on hold. The two areas of criticism are 1) never stops the opposition putting in crosses and 2) can't cross a ball to save his life or in short can't defend and useless in attack.

At least Baines does offer something going forward. Also I don't have a major downer on Kolarov so can't say Clichy is tickling my fancy even at £7m.