Thursday Oct 05 2006 12:00
Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy accepts he cannot expect to walk back into the first team following his recovery from a foot injury.
Ashley Cole's move to Chelsea left Clichy as the Gunners' only recognised left-sided defender, but the 21-year-old's fitness problems have forced Arsene Wenger to employ William Gallas and Justin Hoyte out of position.
Clichy returned to action with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves on Tuesday, but does not think he'll be playing Premiership football in the near future.
"The team are doing well now and the players are getting more confident with each game," he told Arsenal TV Online.
"There is a good understanding and I do not see the boss taking someone out to put me in.
"I will work hard and as a left-back, I will fight for this position. I just want to be fit and feel that my foot is right - after that it is up to the boss."
Clichy added: "With Ashley gone now, I am the only real left-back. I have got a great chance and the boss knows that too.
"But at the moment, William is doing great and when Justin is playing, he is doing well. We have got Mathieu (Flamini) who can also play there.
"I just have to take my time, try my best and work hard because the boss is not going to play me just on reputation, so I have to fight for the chance to play."
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