Gael Clichy, the Arsenal defender, says he is on the brink of signing a new four-year deal with the club.

Clichy has made the left-back role at Emirates Stadium his own following Ashley Cole's departure to Chelsea in 2006. And some solid performances this season - where he was the only player to feature in every single one of Arsenal's Barclays Premier League games - won him a place in the PFA team of the year.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid, but insists he wants to remain in north London.

"We're at the end of our discussions," Clichy said. "Everything's going well because my intention is clear: I want to stay at Arsenal. I would love to have a career here like Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry, to stay many years at Arsenal and leave my mark on the club. I've been in London for five years. If everything goes well I will stay here for at least eight years."

Clichy's current contract expires in 2010, a year before Arsene Wenger's, and the youngster claims his manager was a major factor in his decision to extend his deal.

"We're talking about a further two years," Clichy added. "And in that period, the coach will still be at the club. It's him who brought me here; it's him who built this young team. It's a superb plan to throw yourself into the future with this group here. I never hesitated, not at all. Arsenal is one of the great clubs in Europe.

"For youngsters it's ideal, the coach gets our career's going, gives us confidence. We're playing in a passionate championship, the best in the world. So there's everything together."