Lessons to be learned from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 versus Stoke: Part 3
Article continued from Part 2.
Kieran Gibbs is suffering from lack of on field opportunities and needs a loan spell.
Arsenal was already without their skipper Cesc Fabregas and also http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Samir-Nasri-c32360, who has been voted as the PFA midfielder of the season. This burden of injuries was compounded, however, when their first choice left-back, Gael Clichy, was also injured due to a
torn hamstring. The inclusion of the relative newcomer http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kieran-Gibbs-c20945 was another reason for the mauling of Arsenal.
The substitute left-back was gifted with an uncommon place in the starting line-up. The promising English youngster failed to make most of this infrequent opportunity and was a miserable mess for his playing time. He was caught out of position at a number of
times, was out-muscled in defence by the physical Stoke City’s side and made no contribution whatsoever in the Gunners’ attack.
Unlike the surging forward runs that we are accustomed to see when Clichy plays, Gibbs offered no such fire when going forward.
Kieran Gibbs is the 21-year-old English left-back who started his professional football career with Wimbledon in 2001 and trained with them for three years before moving onto the Gunners training academy in 2004.
The player had to spend another three years in the training grounds before being called up for his first team duty and since 2007 the player has been a part of the squad. Sadly the Englishman has only managed to step onto the football field 15 times in the
last four year. The player did spend his first loan spell against Norwich City in 2008 where he made seven appearances.
He made an immediate impression when he first entered into the spotlight due to a serious injury to Clichy. But since then on, injuries and lack of playing time has hampered the growth of an impressive youngster who last year, received a call from the English
national team.
With the rumours in full swing regarding the immediate future of Clichy; Juventus, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan and Real Madrid all interested. Arsene Wenger was quite confident of retaining the Frenchman in his squad for next season. It would be the best case scenario since
Clichy’s experience and leadership qualities is an important part of the Gunners’ defence and so is his attacking prowess.
With the return of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pedro-Botelho-c29593 and Armand Traore from loan spells, the Gunners have ample cover for Clichy on the bench and this opportunity should be taken to send Gibbs out on loan so that he may also rack up some games and gain valuable experience.
Theo was also present on the field.
It has been a definitive season for the young Englishman, with a string of strong performances and visibly improved decision making capabilities. In previous seasons much of his progress has been curtailed by the recurring injuries and lengthy lay-offs. Although
he has seen an injury lay-off in this season, the fans have been treated to a more clinical, intelligent, and mature “Theo”.
Article continued in Part 4 of Lessons to be learned from Arsenal versus Stoke
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