GAEL CLICHY’S was centre stage for both Arsenal and Manchester City when they made Premier League title history.
But life has since changed dramatically for the Frenchman ahead of his two old clubs meeting in Wednesday’s top-two clash.
Instagram @gael.clichyGael Clichy made title history with Arsenal and Man City and has done the same with a third club on the continent[/caption]
Clichy, 37, was one of the Gunners’ Invincibles when they won the top-flight without defeat in 2003-4.
And eight years later he was part of City‘s first-ever Prem champions.
In other words, few players have been so involved, so prestigiously, for BOTH clubs.
In fact, perhaps only current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who was Pep Guardiola‘s No2 at City, has had such an important role in both camps in modern times.
Incredibly, too, Clichy has stepped into title history with a THIRD team after leaving England six years ago.
WHAT’S HIS ARSENAL CV?
The attacking left-back, who won 20 caps, joined Arsenal from Cannes in 2003.
After winning the Prem so momentously the following year, he lifted the FA Cup in 2005.
But he was a non-playing sub when Barcelona beat the Gunners 2-1 in the Champions League final at Stade de France.
GettyClichy shares Arsenal’s 2004 title glory with strike legend Thierry Henry[/caption]
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Shortly afterwards, Ashley Cole controversially left for Chelsea – boosting his game-time just in time for the club’s move to the Emirates.
But in July 2011 City snapped Clichy up for around £7million.
HOW DID IT GO AT THE ETIHAD?
Clichy soon took Aleksandar Kolarov’s first-choice spot on the left of defence – and went on to taste Prem glory after one of the most famous final days in English football history.
He played the whole game as two stoppage-time goals nicked the title from neighbours United with a 3-2 home victory over QPR.
Clichy, fellow ex-Gunner Samir Nasri and defensive icon Vincent Kompany celebrate Man City’s Prem and League Cup double in 2014Mark Robinson – The Sun
That was the club’s first top-flight title since 1968 and their debut triumph since its rebrand to the Prem in 1992.
But Clichy was left “fuming” when soaked by a fan’s beer as players and 2,000 supporters gathered for a ten-year anniversary event last May.
Clichy also landed a league winner’s medal in 2014, plus twice winning the EFL Cup, before leaving for Turkey in July 2017.
WHAT HAPPENED IN ISTANBUL?
Amazingly, Clichy was also in the spotlight at a landmark moment for İstanbul Başakşehir.
He ended his three-year spell in 2020 by helping the capital club lift their first ever top-level league crown.
Clichy even set up the only goal of the game as they crucially beat Kayserispor on the penultimate day of that campaign.
WHERE IS HE PLAYING NOW?
The Toulouse-born star moved to Swiss Super League side Servette on a free transfer in December 2020.
And he’s still performing consistently.
WHAT’S HE DOING OFF THE PITCH?
Clichy is studying for his coaching badges whilst still playing.
Who knows – maybe one day he could emulate Arteta….
GettyDefender Clichy is going strong for Switzerland’s Servette[/caption] Read More