He made his Premier League debut in 2002–03 season against Southampton, where Arsenal rested many of their players for the upcoming FA Cup Final, also against Southampton. In early 2004 he was sent on a loan deal for the remainder of that season to French club Lille OSC.
In the 2002-03 season, he made his Premier League debut against Southampton while Arsenal rested many of their players for the upcoming FA Cup Final against Southampton. He later had a loan spell with Lille OSC in early 2004 until the end of that season.