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Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates with scorer Theo Walcott
Kneesy does it: Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates with scorer Theo Walcott as Arsenal crush FC Twente at Emirates Stadium
Emmanuel Adebayor celebrates with scorer Theo Walcott Gael Clichy

Now the force is with us, says Gael

Evening Standard   28 Aug 2008


Gael Clichy today vowed Arsenal will continue their commitment to attacking football and said their elaborate style can deliver the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners returned to winning ways by crushing Steve McClaren's FC Twente 4-0 to secure a potential £25million windfall by qualifying for the Champions League group stage.

Arsene Wenger's side have often been criticised for over-complicating their approach play and were stung by similar accusations after losing at Fulham last weekend.

But they turned in an at times exhilarating display of expansive football last night and Clichy, 23, insisted Arsenal can win silverware without changing the way they play. He said: "Of course we have to win things. That is the main objective - to win something this year.

"But if we can do it the way we play, it is even better because football is to entertain people and to take pleasure and that's what we are doing at Arsenal.

"We have to win things, I hope this year will be a good one but once again I am sure we can do it.

"The Fulham game was not good enough. For a club like Arsenal, we have to be at the top and to be at the top you have to play with the right spirit so that's what we tried to do last night."

Emmanuel Adebayor started the match on the bench and his 65th-minute arrival as a substitute for Robin van Persie was greeted with a mixed reception including a noticeable level of booing - a response to the Togo striker's summer flirting with AC Milan over a potential move.

Adebayor has since signed a new contract and Clichy called on supporters to back last season's top goalscorer now he has committed his future to the club.

"I think the big thing is to feel that you are wanted from your club, your manager, your teammates and the fans," said Clichy.

"It was a big disappointment for the fans to see what happened during the summer. Ade is a big, big player and last year he showed he has the quality to be one of the best in Europe.

"So we just have to be behind him. It is difficult, of course, for the fans, but I am sure if he starts scoring goals, everything will be fine."

Another Gunner under the microscope is William Gallas, who is considered fortunate by some to retain the captaincy as Arsenal ran out of steam last season.

The Frenchman's now infamous sit-down protest after a 2-2 League draw with Birmingham in January is regarded as Gallas's nadir in an Arsenal shirt.

But the ex-Chelsea defender scored Arsenal's second goal last night and ahead of Saturday's visit of Newcastle, Clichy said Gallas is the right man for the job.

He said: "I think last night he showed he is a great player. Everyone got a bad time - last year against Birmingham, I had a big mistake - that was my thing.

"Of course, William is a more experienced player and he is the captain so you have to look for someone to blame. Unfortunately, it is him but I don't that is right.

"Everyone is behind him and it will remain like this."

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