Defender Clichy was given the chance to impress when Ashley Cole decided to leave the club in August 2006. The young Frenchman had been Cole's understudy since his arrival in 2003, and has gone on to make the left-back slot his own.
He had been widely regarded as an exciting prospect when he was signed from AS Cannes for a fee of £250,000 in August 2003 and has gone on to fulfill his potential.
Although he was used sparingly in his first season, as back-up to Cole, when called upon he showed superb potential and ability on the ball.
He earned a Championship medal after making 12 Premiership appearances in 2003/04.
Clichy appeared to have the perfect chance to fill the shoes of Cole when the England defender suffered a metatarsal injury in October 2005, but the youngster suffered the cruel blow of exactly the same injury a month later after impressing as the stand-in.
His best season for the club came in 2007/08 when he played 40 times for Gunners, using his pace and skill to provide an outlet on the left.
Clichy was unlucky to miss out on Euro 2008 with France as coach Raymond Domenech went for experience over youth, but now with only the young Armand Traore for competition, Clichy continues to improve and still only a youngster himself, is one of Wenger's stars of the future.
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