Clichy- City are winners

The French left-back says he could have penned a new deal at the Emirates Stadium but could not face the prospect of more seasons like the 2010/11 campaign. Arsenal have now not won a trophy since 2005, with a string of disappointments turning last term into one of the most disappointing seasons under Arsene Wenger's stewardship.

Speaking on the club's pre-season tour to the United States, he said: "It would have been easy to sign a new contract to stay there because they're a fantastic club that will always be challenging for trophies. But it got to a point for me where I didn't want to just challenge for the titles only to be disappointed in the final weeks of the season."

He added: "I wanted to play for a club that would win them.

"I joined City because I felt that this was a club ready to win important trophies over the next few years."

Clichy did not always have such belief in City's ambitions, but has been won over by the commitment of the club's Abu Dhabi-based owners.

He continued: "When Sheikh Mansour first took over here there was a lot of scepticism in the game and I was one of the sceptics.

"But for me, last season proved City are now one of the top clubs in the game. I have been at City only a week but I look around and see a squad that is strong."

Clichy's comments come just a day after Wenger accused City boss Roberto Mancini of a lack of respect over his public pursuit of Samir Nasri, who the Italian wants to add to his squad in the next fortnight.

Source: PA

Source: PA