Ex-Arsenal and Man City star Gael Clichy reveals the three football icons he believes ‘changed the Premier League forever’… as he outlines how the Gunners can ‘hurt’ Pep Guardiola’s side in their crunch title showdown

Former Arsenal and Manchester City left-back Gael Clichy has revealed the three players he believes have had the biggest impact on the Premier League.

During his career, the 38-year-old enjoyed success at both clubs. He won the Premier League as part of Arsenal’s Invincibles in 2003–04, before heading north to join City, where he would claim a further two league titles in 2012 and 2014.

The former defender, who announced his retirement from professional football in 2023, enjoyed 14 years in the top flight and played alongside some of the greatest players of the Premier League era.

At Arsenal he would bring together legends such as Freddie Ljundgberg, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp. He would move to Man City in 2011 and win the title alongside Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Kevin De Bruyne.

While he may be a little torn when it comes to Sunday’s crucial title race between Man City and Arsenal at the Etihad, Clichy has revealed the three players he believes have ‘changed the league forever’.

And it should come as no surprise that the former France international’s first choice was fellow countryman and legendary Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

“There’s no doubt about it, Thierry Henry (about the best player he played with),” he countered Super6.

He also believed the ex-Arsenal striker, who scored 175 goals in 258 Premier League appearances, would thrive in the modern game.

“Thierry was just himself at times in the Premier League,” Clichy added.

‘He was so good to play with and very difficult to play against, I’m pretty sure some defenders had nightmares about him.

‘Henry is a player of 2024, because of his pace, strength, mentality and ruthlessness.’

He also praised ex-Arsenal teammate Patrick Vieira as his second choice, before interestingly naming a former Manchester United star as the third player to have had a huge impact on the top flight.

“In my mind, three players changed the Premier League: Thierry Henry, Vieira and Roy Keane,” he said.

Clichy played 55 games with Henry and 32 games with Vieira at Arsenal but would not team up with Premier League Hall of Fame member Keane.

The Irishman was a key figure in United’s dominant team in the 1990s. He made 366 top-flight appearances, while also winning an impressive seven Premier League titles, with Arsenal and United competing for the league title between 1996 and 2004.

Keane and Vieira are also known for having one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the competition.

In terms of sheer animosity between the two former captains, their on-field feuds were pure theater – with the pair going hammer and tongs as the best of foes over the years.

Clichy, meanwhile, will take over as Henry’s assistant manager for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

The pair will hope to guide Les Bleus to gold on home soil before taking charge of the France U21 side at the 2025 European U21 Championships.

He also gave his verdict on who will win Sunday’s blockbuster match between Man City and Arsenal. Despite the recent dominance of Pep Guardiola’s side, he believed north London have the tools to secure victory at the Etihad.

“The weakness of the Man City team is that when they are in possession they often lose the second ball and can get injured in transition,” he said. Super6.

‘Players like (Bukayo) Saka) and (Gabriel) Martinelli can hurt City in transition. Keeping the ball and utilizing the space at the back could be the key.

“If there’s one team that can go there and get the points, it’s Arsenal.”

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