Gael Clichy is happy he stayed with Arsenal last season.

The French defender - who picked up a Premier League winners' medal in the unbeaten campaign of 2003-04 - does not turn 23 until July but has proven himself more than an able successor to Ashley Cole, who left for Chelsea two years ago.

It would have been easy for Clichy to quit Arsenal as a promising youngster but he was determined to make the grade with the Gunners - something midfielder Lassana Diarra was not prepared to do as he left for Portsmouth during the January transfer window.

Clichy told Arsenal TV Online: "It is the opinion of anyone if they want to stay or go.

"I knew that Ashley was a great player and I knew I would have to wait.

"When the boss sold him to Chelsea that was the opportunity for me and I think I am showing the boss was right to let me have the chance.

"My advice is to be patient and work hard, because that is the key to success."