Former Arsenal and Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy has revealed the three players who he believes have had the greatest impact on the Premier League.
During his career the 38-year-old enjoyed success with both clubs, winning the Premier League as part of Arsenal’s Invincibles in 2003-04, before heading north to join City, where he would claim another two league titles in 2012 and 2014.
The former defender, who announced he would be retiring from professional football in 2023, enjoyed a 14-year spell in the top-flight and played alongside some of the greatest players of the Premier League era.
At Arsenal, he’d team up legends including Freddie Ljundgberg, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp. He’d move to Man City in 2011 and would win the title alongside the likes of Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Kevin De Bruyne.
While he may be a little torn when it comes to this Sunday’s crunch title race showdown between both Man City and Arsenal at the Etihad, Clichy has revealed the three players that he believes have ‘changed the league forever’.
Gael Clichy has named the three players he believes have ‘changed the Premier League’
The 38-year-old won Premier League titles with both Man City and Arsenal during his career
Clichy, here pictured with Joleon Lescott, won the Premier League title with Man City twice
And it might come as no surprise that the former France international’s first pick was his compatriot and legendary Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry.
‘There’s no doubt, Thierry Henry [on the best player he played with],’ he said to Super 6.
He also believed that the ex-Arsenal striker, who scored 175 goals across 258 Premier League appearances, would thrive in the modern game.
‘Thierry just himself, at certain moments, was the Premier League,’ Clichy added.
‘He was so good to play with and really difficult to play against, I’m pretty sure some defenders were having nightmares about him.
‘Henry is a 2024 player, his pace, power, mentality, ruthlessness.’
He also hailed ex-Arsenal team-mate, Patrick Vieira as his second pick, before interestingly naming a former Manchester United star as the third player to have had a huge impact on the top-flight.
‘In my mind three players changed the Premier League: Thierry Henry, Vieira and Roy Keane,’ he said.
The ex-defender (centre) named Thierry Henry (left) as one of the league’s most influential stars
Clichy would win the Premier League title as part of Arsenal’s Invincibles side in 2003-04
He also named former team-mate Patrick Vieira as another player who changed the league
Clichy played 55 matches with Henry and 32 games with Vieira at Arsenal, but would not team up with Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, Keane.
The Irishman was a pivotal figure in United’s dominant sides in the 1990s, making 366 top-flight appearances, while also clinching a whopping seven Premier League titles – with Arsenal and United tussled for the league title between 1996 and 2004.
Keane and Vieira are also well known for having one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the league.
In terms of sheer animosity between the two former captains, their spats on the field were pure theatre – with the pair going hammer and tongs as best of enemies over the years.
Clichy, meanwhile, is set to join up as Henry’s assistant manager for this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
The pair will be hoping to guide Les Bleus to gold on home soil, before the duo take charge of France’s U21 side at the U21 European Championships in 2025.
His final choice was Man United legend Roy Keane who won seven league titles in his career
Keane and Vieira were renowned for their bust-ups while playing for Arsenal and United
Clichy also delivered his verdict on how Mikel Arteta’s side can beat Man City on Sunday
He also delivered his verdict on who will win Sunday’s blockbuster match between Man City and Arsenal – and despite Pep Guardiola’s side’s recent dominance, he believed the north London side have the tools to secure victory at the Etihad.
‘The weakness in the Man City team is when they are in possession, they often lose the second ball and can be hurt on transition,’ he told Super 6.
‘Players like (Bukayo) Saka) and (Gabriel) Martinelli can hurt City on the transition. Keeping the ball and using the space in behind could be the key.
‘If there is one team that is capable of going there and getting the points, it is Arsenal.’
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