Last of the Invincibles

Today, Gaël Clichy has signed for Manchester City. Surely by some accident, arsenal.com have confirmed the move on the same day it happened.

The Frenchman spent eight years with the club after signing in the 2003 Silly Season. Even then, at barely 18, he looked the part when playing as a triallist in pre-season. A year later, he was Premier League champion as one of the Invincibles.

Ashley Cole was ahead of him in the pecking order, but when Cole left he was asked to step up - as Cole had been asked when Silvinho used his dodgy passport to leave for Spain.

As with Cole, Clichy was doubted by most Arsenal supporters as a long time solution in the position. Among the rumoured replacements was Wayne Bridge, Cole's England backup. But like his predecessor, Clichy stepped up well and made the left-back berth his own.

Thanks for all the memories, Gaël. We will remember your early days, as well as Ashley Cole's, when another young left-back - Kieran Gibbs - now has to win over the supporters and make his mark in the Premier League and Champions League.