Clichy - Gunners must unite

Gael Clichy believes that Arsenal are standing on the brink of greatness.

The Gunners' young squad is set to end the season empty-handed, but they are confident that success is just around the corner.

French full-back Clichy is convinced that Arsenal have the potential to dominate English football in the near future.

However, he accepts that silverware is a must for next season with the vultures already beginning to circle over Arsene Wenger's talented team.

Mathieu Flamini has agreed to join Milan, while Internazionale and Real Madrid continue to track Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas respectively.

Clichy acknowledges that the lure of the European giants can sometimes be tempting, but has warned that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

"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 defender said in The Sun.

"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.

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

"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.

The Frenchman is also adamant that the experience of falling short this season will make the Gunners even more determined to achieve success next year.

"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."

"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."