CLICHY'S GUNNING FOR TITLE.

Byline: JOHN CROSS

Arsenal v Pompey, today, KO 3pm

GAEL CLICHY says Arsenal are ready to take the pressure off Arsene Wenger by ending their five-year wait for the title.

"The first two games have showed the quality is there and we can count on Arsenal to finish at the top," he said.

"But it's always the same. For four years now we've been saying, year after year, that 'This is the one'. But this year is really important for the club and for the players.

"Now is the time to win trophies."

But Clichy admits that after last season's turbulence at Arsenal they must win a trophy to ease the mounting pressure on their manager.

He said: "Of course, it's natural that people will start questioning the boss. But we have to think about what he's done for the club.

"Arsenal is Arsenal because of Arsene Wenger. It's hard to lose players like Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, but it would be much harder to cope with the departure of Arsene Wenger.

"We have to give him support for what he has achieved here in the past, and what he will achieve here in the future. He is a great manager."

CAPTION(S):

TITLE AMBITION Gael Clichy, right, is aiming high this season