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.