I’m happy and proud to announce my arrival at Arsenal. After five great years at Chelsea, I was dreaming of a new challenge in my sporting career and an offer from the Gunners cannot be refused.
First, it was important for me to stay in London, a town I love and where I feel good with my friends and family. I’ll also be joining some of my French friends at Arsenal, especially Titi, my mate in the French team, and with whom I’d like to win some club titles.
I’m now 29 years old and I also wanted to keep improving, and who is better than Arsène Wenger, who can help me achieve this objective? I’m looking forward to being managed by him and learning from him. I’ve signed a 4-5 year contract with the club so we can progress together in the long term and because the challenge at Arsenal interests me. I want to bring my experience to the younger Gunners who were finalists in the Champions League last year, and to play in a brand new stadium in front of one of the best crowds in England.
Of course, it won’t be easy to leave the Blues. I made many sporting achievements while I was playing with them, winning two Premiership titles and reaching the World Cup Final with France. But I needed a new challenge, a change of routine and to set myself new goals. Now I’ll be playing in red and white. I’ll wear the Arsenal colours with pride.
