Clichy ready for fight

Defender feels Arsenal are stronger

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 16th August 2007

Clichy

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Gael Clichy believes Arsenal are better equipped to compete with physical sides this season.

In recent seasons The Gunners have struggled to break down teams that set their stall out to frustrate and unsettle Arsenal.

They came under pressure again in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague, before running out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb.

But Clichy, who set up the opening goal, is confident Arsenal will be much stronger in both the Premier League and Champions League this term.

He declared: "Maybe they think this is the way to play against Arsenal. We have to show that we are not the same team as before and are ready for the challenge.

"Everything is about mentality and we believe we have the quality in our football.

"Every weekend, we play against a side like this in England. This season, we believe we have the football quality and the physical quality."

Late goals

Wenger praised his side's never-say-day attitude after Hleb scored in the dying seconds for the second consecutive game, and Clichy has also been pleased with the way the season has started.

"It shows we do not give up until the end, and that is the way it should be," he explained.

"Maybe the last couple of years, it was the other way, perhaps we were giving up a bit too quick, or were not focused until the end.

"This year we are a different team with a different spirit, and we are going to try to make it happen every week."