Friday, July 18, 2008

Clichy: We've got our very own Ronaldo

Gael Clichy has compared Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie to none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, whilst suggesting summer recruit Samir Nasri could, in the future, be mentioned in the same breath as a certain Zinadine Zidane.


A succession of injuries have ensured that Van Persie has endured a truncated last couple of years at Emirates Stadium that have put the brakes on his Premier League progress.


However, he was fit enough to gain some significant game-time with Holland at Euro 2008 and, Clichy feels, could now be ready to start the new campaign with a bang.


“He was unlucky to be injured last season so it was good to see him play game after game,” said the Frenchman.


“It was a big blow to lose him and I'm certain that his return is going to be a great bonus for us this season.


“At Arsenal we have lots of players who can make a difference, but Robin is a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, the kind who, even if they aren't playing fantastically, can change things from one free-kick, corner or pass.”


Nasri finally completed his move to North London from Marseille this week and Clichy is tipping his fellow countryman to make sizeable waves in England.


“He is certainly a great player but we have to judge him over the coming years and then afterward we can talk about Zidane or whoever,” he added.

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