05-17-2008, 05:19 AM
Arsenal and France defender Gael Clichy has stated his intention to sign a new four-year deal at the Emirates.
Clichy joined Arsenal in 2003 and, after coming through the reserves, was a ready-made replacement for Ashley Cole after the England left-back's acrimonious transfer to Chelsea in 2006.
His form this season won him a place in the PFA team of the year and - despite reported interest from Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid - Clichy has insisted he wants to remain at the North London club.
"We're at the end of our discussions," Clichy told France Football. "Everything's going well because my intention is clear - I want to stay at Arsenal.
"I would love to have a career here like Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, to stay many years at Arsenal and leave my mark on the club.
"I've been in London for five years. If everything goes well I will stay here for at least eight years."
The decision will come as a boost to the Gunners, who have already lost midfielder Mathieu Flamini to Milan and are embroiled in a tug-of-war with Internazionale for Belarus midfielder Alex Hleb.
Boss Arsene Wenger brought Clichy to the club as a teenager after he played barely a dozen games for Cannes. And the Toulouse-born 22-year-old wants to stay at least as long as the French tactician, whose own contract expires in 2011 - a year after Clichy's existing deal.
"We're talking about a further two years," Clichy added. "And in that period, the coach will still be at the club.
"It's him who brought me here; it's him who built this young team. It's a superb plan to throw yourself into the future with this group here.
"I never hesitated, not at all. Arsenal is one of the great clubs in Europe.
"For youngsters it's ideal, the coach gets our careers going, gives us confidence. We're playing in a passionate championship, the best in the world. So there's everything together."
Clichy joined Arsenal in 2003 and, after coming through the reserves, was a ready-made replacement for Ashley Cole after the England left-back's acrimonious transfer to Chelsea in 2006.
His form this season won him a place in the PFA team of the year and - despite reported interest from Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid - Clichy has insisted he wants to remain at the North London club.
"We're at the end of our discussions," Clichy told France Football. "Everything's going well because my intention is clear - I want to stay at Arsenal.
"I would love to have a career here like Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, to stay many years at Arsenal and leave my mark on the club.
"I've been in London for five years. If everything goes well I will stay here for at least eight years."
The decision will come as a boost to the Gunners, who have already lost midfielder Mathieu Flamini to Milan and are embroiled in a tug-of-war with Internazionale for Belarus midfielder Alex Hleb.
Boss Arsene Wenger brought Clichy to the club as a teenager after he played barely a dozen games for Cannes. And the Toulouse-born 22-year-old wants to stay at least as long as the French tactician, whose own contract expires in 2011 - a year after Clichy's existing deal.
"We're talking about a further two years," Clichy added. "And in that period, the coach will still be at the club.
"It's him who brought me here; it's him who built this young team. It's a superb plan to throw yourself into the future with this group here.
"I never hesitated, not at all. Arsenal is one of the great clubs in Europe.
"For youngsters it's ideal, the coach gets our careers going, gives us confidence. We're playing in a passionate championship, the best in the world. So there's everything together."
