Gael Clichy has revealed how a conversation
with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp instilled him with the belief
that he could succeed in North London.
The 23-year-old has made the left-back position his own at
Emirates Stadium since Ashley Cole departed the club for rivals
Chelsea in 2006.
Bergkamp, who now holds a coaching role at Ajax, spent 11 years
with the Gunners, and Clichy has explained the Dutchman made a
lasting impact on him.
The France defender told L'Equipe: "I will never forget
what Dennis Bergkamp told me. It was in 2005 when I was injured. I
had doubts and I didn't feel fine.
"Bergkamp is a great man that doesn't talk a lot. One day he
came to see me and asked how long it would take for me to recover.
I told him I didn't know.
"He watched Ashley Cole, who was also having a treatment, and
finally said: 'Come back soon, and if you succeed, you will get his
position.'
"Dennis and Ashley are friends, but that simple sentence was so
good to me. I held on, and then I recovered quickly."