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Clichy believes Gunners can still deliver success next season
Gael Clichy
Gael Clichy

GAEL CLICHY insists Arsenal have the capability to win trophies next year after enduring another barren season this year.

The Gunners let a five point advantage over Manchester United slip earlier in the season, but Clichy believes the current squad has what it takes to make the step up.

"With the squad we have at Arsenal I am sure we are going to do something great very soon," the defender told the Sun.

"I don't want to say we have to be patient because we have been waiting for three years now and we definitely need to win trophies to keep our players happy."

Indeed some members of the squad are already looking further afield for success after three years without a trophy. Mathieu Flamini has joined AC Milan while speculation surrounding the futures of Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas refuses to go away.

However Clichy believes success for this current Arsenal team is just on the horizon, and has urged his teammates to persevere with life at the Emirates.

"No one can ever say they are leaving to win trophies because you don't know what you are going to find when you join another team," the left-back continued.

"Thierry Henry left us because maybe he wanted to win La Liga or the Champions League with Barcelona.

"But that is not how it worked out.

"All I am saying is that if everyone at Arsenal sticks together we can achieve so much.

"For me, England is the best place in the world to be a footballer and, if I could stay here forever, I would."

That will be music to the ears of Gunners fans as Clichy has made the left-back position his own following the departure of Ashley Cole. And after making the PFA Team of the Year this season, many believe the young Frenchman has had a greater impact than his English counterpart.

Despite another year without silverware Clichy remains upbeat about the team's prospects next term.

"For seven months we led the table by playing fantastic, creative football with a great spirit and real character.

"But I cannot say that Arsenal are the best team because we haven't won anything and people only remember the teams with the trophies.

"It is a big shame and maybe it would have been different if we had not suffered all those injuries at the same time.

"But we can only blame ourselves because it was in our hands and we let it go.

"But, as we say in France, any experience which does not kill you can only make you stronger.

"And I am sure that next season will be better."

10:25am Thursday 8th May 2008

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