For Gael Clichy, the battling point at Blackburn on Sunday was another example of the subtle transformation that has taken place at Arsenal this season.
The 22-year-old left back believes Arsène Wenger’s young side are stronger — physically and mentally — than in previous years. Certainly the tough, tempestuous affair at Ewood Park was exactly the type of game in which Arsenal might have slipped in the past. However, at the weekend, they took the lead in the 17th minute and, despite heavy Blackburn pressure, they looked like holding it until Jens Lehmann let a long-range drive from David Dunn slip through his fingers 19 minutes from time.
“We know we have the quality to play football,” Clichy told Arsenal.com afterwards. “But we know that sometimes the weakness has been to be physical. Everyone can see we have progressed [this season] and still want to progress in that way.
“We showed it again. Last week we played on Wednesday and then on Sunday. There was four days in between. But we fought well and we defended well right from the strikers. Everyone was perfect and we were unlucky to lose two points in the end.
“I can’t explain it but it is a new team definitely and a different spirit definitely. Everyone can see it. I am really proud to see the team progress like this. Blackburn played good on Sunday but we were solid so the boss was happy and we were happy too.”
Well, I am glad that the team spirit now is a lil bit different too. But these few matches,clichy's been quite quiet on the left flank. well except against sparta prague that is.