Former Man City defender Gael Clichy reveals he “immediately realised” he could NOT win the Premier League with Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester City’s former left-back Gael Clichy has revealed how he “immediately realised” he could not win the Premier League with Arsenal.

The French defender joined Manchester City from the North London club in July 2011 for an undisclosed fee that was later believed to be around £7 million, whilst signing an initial four-year contract in the process.

Clichy would make up part of the historic Manchester City squad that won their first Premier League title following their takeover from Abu Dhabi and under iconic Italian coach Roberto Mancini, fresh of the back of an FA Cup win in the season prior.

With City bursting onto the scene with clear intent to dominate the Premier League for years to come, a feeling began to grow over at Clichy’s former club Arsenal that a possible top-flight success would become increasingly difficult.

Speaking during a recent conversation with Zack Nani, Clichy explained that following the rapid developments and rise over at Manchester City, he “immediately realised” that a Premier League title win would not be possible at Arsenal.

“When I arrived at Manchester City, I immediately realised that we couldn’t have become champion at Arsenal,” the former France international explained.

“24 players, two for each position, all internationals… ruthless competition with tackles to the knees, fights and insults every training session (including with the coach.

“That’s when I felt that there is a fervour and something great is building up in the club.”

Gael Clichy would go on to be a huge success at the Etihad Stadium over the course of a remarkable six-season stay at Manchester City, registering over 200 appearances and winning two Premier League titles under two different managers in the process.

Clichy would go on to feature and work under Manchester City’s current coach Pep Guardiola, operating in the Catalan’s debut season at the Etihad Stadium but leaving the project at the end of the 2016/17 season for a fresh start in the Turkish game.