CSKA Moscow 1 - 0 Arsenal

CSKA Moscow v Arsenal: Preview

Updated: October 16, 2006, 1:50 PM UK

The 21-year-old recently stepped up his recovery from a long-term foot problem and was introduced for the final nine minutes of Saturday's 3-0 Barclays Premiership victory over Watford at the Emirates Stadium.

Clichy will travel with the rest of the squad to Russia ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow.

The French defender made only 11 appearances last season in what was another campaign hampered by injury.

With Cole now departed to Chelsea, both youngster Justin Hoyte and the versatile William Gallas have both also filled in on the left side of defence.

However, Clichy believes that when fully fit, he can offer the Gunners boss specialist cover - although the 21-year-old accepts he cannot walk straight back into the side.

"Ashley is a friend and I am really happy for him if he is happy at Chelsea,'' Clichy said.

"He is a great player and it is a shame for the club to lose a player like this.

"Of course, though, I have to be realistic and it is a big opportunity for me.

"Now I am fit and am waiting for the boss to give me a chance. I will not let him down.''

Clichy added: "William Gallas can play on the left and Mathieu Flamini also last season played quite well. We have got Justin Hoyte too and Armand Traore.

"We have to work together and be as good as possible for the team - but of course I think the boss knows I am in a good position to play on the left, so I am just going to work hard and try my best to make this position my own.''

Clichy hopes his injury nightmare is now behind him, having several setbacks since suffering a stress fracture in his foot while on international duty with France Under-21s during November 2005.

"It has been really difficult. I had three bad injuries last season, all the same,'' he said.

"Maybe the first one was not fixed properly and then I had the others.

"It was bad luck as well. But that is the life and you have to go with it.

"The thing you have to understand is there are people worse than me, so I have to just focus on my rehabilitation and playing again.

"Hopefully it is all behind me now and I can look forward to my future.''

The addition of Gallas, 29, to the Arsenal squad as part of the deal which took Cole to Stamford Bridge on deadline day has added a wealth of experience to a relatively young back four - yet one which helped take Arsenal to the Champions League final last season.

Clichy said: "William is kind of player I think we were missing - an old player, more experienced.

"He is one of the best players at the moment over the last five years.

"It is great to have him and he gives all the young players a big lift and tries to keep them focused.''

Manager Arsene Wenger included Brazil Under 19 captain Denilson in the squad for the first time ahead of the clash with CSKA Moscow.

"He is a good all round player and has good technique,'' Wenger told reporters at Luton Airport before departing for Russia.

Denilson, 18, joined the Gunners on transfer deadline day from Sao Paulo and has so far played only one reserve game for his new club, against Portsmouth.

Wenger was already without injured trio Freddie Ljungberg (calf), Emmanuel Eboue (knee) and Julio Baptista (hamstring), but fit-again full-back Gael Clichy retains his place in the squad.

Philippe Senderos (shoulder) will also stay behind to continue working on his match fitness, while Lauren (knee) and Abou Diaby (ankle) are all still some way from a return.