Clichy

[twosips]

Clichy got gradually worse in a poor and spineless team. It's contagious sadly. Say what you want about Arsenal's attacking ability, but fuck me, they're wimps.

HOWEVER he was in the Premier League XI a couple of year's back, and he's still as fit as a fiddle. I do believe that in a good team he'll improve immensely. You only have to look at how much Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta and Richards have all improved in the past year and a half to see what Mancini can do for a defender's confidence. Micah especially - that boy didn't know the meaning of the words 'offside trap' - useless positional awareness. However he turned it around. I see no reason why Clichy can't do the same.

When is the last time he played under a proper leader? In a team full of winners? Fuck knows...say what you like but Cesc and RVP, as good as they are, are hardly Vincent Kompany, Carlos Tevez and Nigel De Jong when it comes to sheer hard-work and utter refusal to lose on the football pitch are they? I include Tevez because despite all of his faults he's still an exceptional team player on the pitch. Also, Clichy's form dramatically dipped when Arshavin was placed in front of him - may be a coincidence, but Arshavin defensively was fucking no where. At least at City he'd have Silva covering - even Balo tracked back towards the end of the season.

Alongside Lescott, VK, Joe Hart, Micah, and with Barry/Yaya/De Jong dropping back to cover his forward runs, i've got no doubt that he will rediscover his top form. At £7m this is a snip. Clichy wasn't the problem at Arsenal - it was the whole team - spineless, immature, looking for a leader, and without anyone willing to take hold of the leadership mantle.

[Blue Blood]

Clichy having a Medical..... looking at arsenal comments on some boards and they are genuinely not arsed and think he cost the valuable points last season with this attacking all the time and leaving gaps!! Hmmmm I thinks its a good litmus test to see how the clubs fans we are buying from take it when it is rumoured. I remember thinking we did good in getting Danny Mills, but my mate who was a Leeds fan thought they got the best of the deal.... how right he was!

I am a little nervous about this one TBH, I thought it was a good deal (in fact I still do if the price is £7m), but I wanted a top notch left back and Arsenal fans seem happier to have Gibbs as they think he would have been ahead of Clichy for a starting place this season anyway.

Arsenal fans are an odd bunch, read a lot of there forums and comments on various websites and to say they are in denial would be an understatement.

Fabragas, the utter creative spark, imo the truly irreplaceable player of Arsenal leaving has been met by almost unanimous "not bothered" comments from Arsenal fans. I've also seen lots of "it's ok we've got Ramsey" comments banded about too! It's like Yaya leaving and us going it's ok, we've got Assulin coming through. Madness. Fabragas has created more chances than any other player in the past 6 seasons, the loss will be hard to take, the void will not be easily filled by Ramsey.

The whole Clichy business is much the same, he is undisputedly Arsenals number one LB, yet him going is again "no problem", they have Gibbs, a player who has spent more time crocked than playing and when he has played has looked very average. Arsenal fans cite errors and a decline to clichys game but the stats speak a different story. Stats don't lie. If there is a weakness to him it's that he has been supported by a frankly poor defence.

Add to all this that Arshavin is most likely off, Nasri also looking odds on for a move and even rumours of RVP handing a transfer request in. Smacks of crisis to me but to Arsenal fans, this is all part of Wengers masterplan. Another piece of brilliance, selling players who have had there time at Arsenal, it's the start of a new better Arsenal...

The term "In Wenger we trust" seems to be a buzzword atm, but frankly does Wenger even have a plan anymore.

I don't believe it, doesn't seem his current stars do either.

[gilford]

......................... it was the whole team - spineless, immature, looking for a leader, and without anyone willing to take hold of the leadership mantle.

Sounds like us at the start of 2011! lol

[twosips]

The key words being 'at the start' :)

Fortunately those days are behind us now! Onwards and upwards.

[CityFanFromRome]

Great buy imho, seems like I was destined to have Clichy in one of the teams I support as the other strong contender for his signature was Roma, at least from reports here in Italy :D He's got Premier experience and he's grown up in this style of football so he will be a big improvement on Kolarov when defending, that's for sure.

[trueblue64]

Update: Following his medical earlier in the day, Gael Clichy has now arrived at the City of Manchester Stadium as he closes in on his move to Manchester City from Arsenal. Sky Sports News have shown pictures of the left-back arriving at the ground and he even stopped to have his picture taken with a small child, helping to endear himself to the new fans clearly!

[lets all have a disco]

Im happy with the Clichy signing he knows the league and is improvement on Aleks weve got a lot of games next year everyone will get enough game time.

[Alioune DVToure]

Clichy having a Medical..... looking at arsenal comments on some boards and they are genuinely not arsed and think he cost the valuable points last season with this attacking all the time and leaving gaps!! Hmmmm I thinks its a good litmus test to see how the clubs fans we are buying from take it when it is rumoured. I remember thinking we did good in getting Danny Mills, but my mate who was a Leeds fan thought they got the best of the deal.... how right he was!

I am a little nervous about this one TBH, I thought it was a good deal (in fact I still do if the price is £7m), but I wanted a top notch left back and Arsenal fans seem happier to have Gibbs as they think he would have been ahead of Clichy for a starting place this season anyway.

Arsenal fans are an odd bunch, read a lot of there forums and comments on various websites and to say they are in denial would be an understatement.

Fabragas, the utter creative spark, imo the truly irreplaceable player of Arsenal leaving has been met by almost unanimous "not bothered" comments from Arsenal fans. I've also seen lots of "it's ok we've got Ramsey" comments banded about too! It's like Yaya leaving and us going it's ok, we've got Assulin coming through. Madness. Fabragas has created more chances than any other player in the past 6 seasons, the loss will be hard to take, the void will not be easily filled by Ramsey.

The whole Clichy business is much the same, he is undisputedly Arsenals number one LB, yet him going is again "no problem", they have Gibbs, a player who has spent more time crocked than playing and when he has played has looked very average. Arsenal fans cite errors and a decline to clichys game but the stats speak a different story. Stats don't lie. If there is a weakness to him it's that he has been supported by a frankly poor defence.

Add to all this that Arshavin is most likely off, Nasri also looking odds on for a move and even rumours of RVP handing a transfer request in. Smacks of crisis to me but to Arsenal fans, this is all part of Wengers masterplan. Another piece of brilliance, selling players who have had there time at Arsenal, it's the start of a new better Arsenal...

The term "In Wenger we trust" seems to be a buzzword atm, but frankly does Wenger even have a plan anymore.

I don't believe it, doesn't seem his current stars do either.

Arshavin was proper shit last season. I'm not surprised that they wouldn't be sad to see him go. Really has flattered to deceive in my opinion.

[Blue Blood]

Clichy having a Medical..... looking at arsenal comments on some boards and they are genuinely not arsed and think he cost the valuable points last season with this attacking all the time and leaving gaps!! Hmmmm I thinks its a good litmus test to see how the clubs fans we are buying from take it when it is rumoured. I remember thinking we did good in getting Danny Mills, but my mate who was a Leeds fan thought they got the best of the deal.... how right he was!

I am a little nervous about this one TBH, I thought it was a good deal (in fact I still do if the price is £7m), but I wanted a top notch left back and Arsenal fans seem happier to have Gibbs as they think he would have been ahead of Clichy for a starting place this season anyway.

Arsenal fans are an odd bunch, read a lot of there forums and comments on various websites and to say they are in denial would be an understatement.

Fabragas, the utter creative spark, imo the truly irreplaceable player of Arsenal leaving has been met by almost unanimous "not bothered" comments from Arsenal fans. I've also seen lots of "it's ok we've got Ramsey" comments banded about too! It's like Yaya leaving and us going it's ok, we've got Assulin coming through. Madness. Fabragas has created more chances than any other player in the past 6 seasons, the loss will be hard to take, the void will not be easily filled by Ramsey.

The whole Clichy business is much the same, he is undisputedly Arsenals number one LB, yet him going is again "no problem", they have Gibbs, a player who has spent more time crocked than playing and when he has played has looked very average. Arsenal fans cite errors and a decline to clichys game but the stats speak a different story. Stats don't lie. If there is a weakness to him it's that he has been supported by a frankly poor defence.

Add to all this that Arshavin is most likely off, Nasri also looking odds on for a move and even rumours of RVP handing a transfer request in. Smacks of crisis to me but to Arsenal fans, this is all part of Wengers masterplan. Another piece of brilliance, selling players who have had there time at Arsenal, it's the start of a new better Arsenal...

The term "In Wenger we trust" seems to be a buzzword atm, but frankly does Wenger even have a plan anymore.

I don't believe it, doesn't seem his current stars do either.

Arshavin was proper shit last season. I'm not surprised that they wouldn't be sad to see him go. Really has flattered to deceive in my opinion.

Agree with the general consensus that Arshavin is shite and Arsenal will be better with him gone, differ on the gooners opinions of their other potential outgoings.

Arshavin for me was little better than Petrov was for us. For £12 million, a flop imo.

[DoomMerchant]

Clichy having a Medical..... looking at arsenal comments on some boards and they are genuinely not arsed and think he cost the valuable points last season with this attacking all the time and leaving gaps!! Hmmmm I thinks its a good litmus test to see how the clubs fans we are buying from take it when it is rumoured. I remember thinking we did good in getting Danny Mills, but my mate who was a Leeds fan thought they got the best of the deal.... how right he was!

I am a little nervous about this one TBH, I thought it was a good deal (in fact I still do if the price is £7m), but I wanted a top notch left back and Arsenal fans seem happier to have Gibbs as they think he would have been ahead of Clichy for a starting place this season anyway.

Arsenal fans are an odd bunch, read a lot of there forums and comments on various websites and to say they are in denial would be an understatement.

Fabragas, the utter creative spark, imo the truly irreplaceable player of Arsenal leaving has been met by almost unanimous "not bothered" comments from Arsenal fans. I've also seen lots of "it's ok we've got Ramsey" comments banded about too! It's like Yaya leaving and us going it's ok, we've got Assulin coming through. Madness. Fabragas has created more chances than any other player in the past 6 seasons, the loss will be hard to take, the void will not be easily filled by Ramsey.

The whole Clichy business is much the same, he is undisputedly Arsenals number one LB, yet him going is again "no problem", they have Gibbs, a player who has spent more time crocked than playing and when he has played has looked very average. Arsenal fans cite errors and a decline to clichys game but the stats speak a different story. Stats don't lie. If there is a weakness to him it's that he has been supported by a frankly poor defence.

Add to all this that Arshavin is most likely off, Nasri also looking odds on for a move and even rumours of RVP handing a transfer request in. Smacks of crisis to me but to Arsenal fans, this is all part of Wengers masterplan. Another piece of brilliance, selling players who have had there time at Arsenal, it's the start of a new better Arsenal...

The term "In Wenger we trust" seems to be a buzzword atm, but frankly does Wenger even have a plan anymore.

I don't believe it, doesn't seem his current stars do either.

arsenal fans believe they have midfield cover for Fabs and Nasri leaving in Wilshire and Ramsey. They also believe that GIbbs slots right in at LB and Clichy is just past it, so it's fantastic getting 7M for someone who would have been on the bench a lot, allegedly. Arshavin has been such shite it's no bother to them that he leaves either.

I think their bigger concern is whether Arsene will spend the wedge on a striker/attacking midfielder, a keeper, and a CB or two which is pretty much what they'll need to do if they want to keep up. If he can do that and find the talent they'll be in okay shape and the media outburst suggesting Arsenal are sunk will have been quite premature.

As i've said before basically the lot that's leaving haven't won anything *together* so i'm not sure how bothered i'd be as a fan either. Even if RVP left. This group has massively underachieved and shown they don't have the mettle to win something. If i was an Gooner i'd be glad they were clearing house, and 55M for Fabs and Nasri isn't bad business tbh.

[Blue Blood]

Clichy having a Medical..... looking at arsenal comments on some boards and they are genuinely not arsed and think he cost the valuable points last season with this attacking all the time and leaving gaps!! Hmmmm I thinks its a good litmus test to see how the clubs fans we are buying from take it when it is rumoured. I remember thinking we did good in getting Danny Mills, but my mate who was a Leeds fan thought they got the best of the deal.... how right he was!

I am a little nervous about this one TBH, I thought it was a good deal (in fact I still do if the price is £7m), but I wanted a top notch left back and Arsenal fans seem happier to have Gibbs as they think he would have been ahead of Clichy for a starting place this season anyway.

Arsenal fans are an odd bunch, read a lot of there forums and comments on various websites and to say they are in denial would be an understatement.

Fabragas, the utter creative spark, imo the truly irreplaceable player of Arsenal leaving has been met by almost unanimous "not bothered" comments from Arsenal fans. I've also seen lots of "it's ok we've got Ramsey" comments banded about too! It's like Yaya leaving and us going it's ok, we've got Assulin coming through. Madness. Fabragas has created more chances than any other player in the past 6 seasons, the loss will be hard to take, the void will not be easily filled by Ramsey.

The whole Clichy business is much the same, he is undisputedly Arsenals number one LB, yet him going is again "no problem", they have Gibbs, a player who has spent more time crocked than playing and when he has played has looked very average. Arsenal fans cite errors and a decline to clichys game but the stats speak a different story. Stats don't lie. If there is a weakness to him it's that he has been supported by a frankly poor defence.

Add to all this that Arshavin is most likely off, Nasri also looking odds on for a move and even rumours of RVP handing a transfer request in. Smacks of crisis to me but to Arsenal fans, this is all part of Wengers masterplan. Another piece of brilliance, selling players who have had there time at Arsenal, it's the start of a new better Arsenal...

The term "In Wenger we trust" seems to be a buzzword atm, but frankly does Wenger even have a plan anymore.

I don't believe it, doesn't seem his current stars do either.

arsenal fans believe they have midfield cover for Fabs and Nasri leaving in Wilshire and Ramsey. They also believe that GIbbs slots right in at LB and Clichy is just past it, so it's fantastic getting 7M for someone who would have been on the bench a lot, allegedly. Arshavin has been such shite it's no bother to them that he leaves either.

I think their bigger concern is whether Arsene will spend the wedge on a striker/attacking midfielder, a keeper, and a CB or two which is pretty much what they'll need to do if they want to keep up. If he can do that and find the talent they'll be in okay shape and the media outburst suggesting Arsenal are sunk will have been quite premature.

As i've said before basically the lot that's leaving haven't won anything *together* so i'm not sure how bothered i'd be as a fan either. Even if RVP left. This group has massively underachieved and shown they don't have the mettle to win something. If i was an Gooner i'd be glad they were clearing house, and 55M for Fabs and Nasri isn't bad business tbh.

Trouble is Wenger keeps the purse strings tight, I can't see him burning dollar and changing the face of Arsenal this summer, of course I could be wrong.

All makes for a slightly less dull football void summer though.

[lets all have a disco]

Arsenal want Doyle for 12 million.

[Craig B]

Arsenal want Doyle for 12 million.

A bit overpriced I'd say

[BmoreBlue]

@MCFC
Manchester City FC
Gael Clichy is in the building... #mcfc

[BmoreBlue]

sounds like he's about to sign his contract

[s1ty m]

Clichy got gradually worse in a poor and spineless team. It's contagious sadly. Say what you want about Arsenal's attacking ability, but fuck me, they're wimps.

HOWEVER he was in the Premier League XI a couple of year's back, and he's still as fit as a fiddle. I do believe that in a good team he'll improve immensely. You only have to look at how much Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta and Richards have all improved in the past year and a half to see what Mancini can do for a defender's confidence. Micah especially - that boy didn't know the meaning of the words 'offside trap' - useless positional awareness. However he turned it around. I see no reason why Clichy can't do the same.

When is the last time he played under a proper leader? In a team full of winners? Fuck knows...say what you like but Cesc and RVP, as good as they are, are hardly Vincent Kompany, Carlos Tevez and Nigel De Jong when it comes to sheer hard-work and utter refusal to lose on the football pitch are they? I include Tevez because despite all of his faults he's still an exceptional team player on the pitch. Also, Clichy's form dramatically dipped when Arshavin was placed in front of him - may be a coincidence, but Arshavin defensively was fucking no where. At least at City he'd have Silva covering - even Balo tracked back towards the end of the season.

Alongside Lescott, VK, Joe Hart, Micah, and with Barry/Yaya/De Jong dropping back to cover his forward runs, i've got no doubt that he will rediscover his top form. At £7m this is a snip. Clichy wasn't the problem at Arsenal - it was the whole team - spineless, immature, looking for a leader, and without anyone willing to take hold of the leadership mantle.

I think this is a really spot on post.

[Wooders]

I agree - spot on about clichy - a definite will improve under bobby manc candidate

[Blue Blood]

All done now apparently.

Welcome to city Gael!!

[Curlie]

SSN are now headlining with the Breaking Newss that Gael Clichy has now joined City.
Nothing yet from the OS but would be pretty embarrassing for Sky to announce it as fact and it hadn't happened.

[stevefromdonny]

its now on city web page