Arsenal: Kieran Gibbs Still An Essential Piece

Arsenal have a surplus of fullbacks, so rumours have emerged that Kieran Gibbs will be allowed to leave the Emirates. This should not be the case.

Nacho Monreal’s hugely consistent performances over the past 18 months have led to speculation that Kieran Gibbs could be heading towards the exit door. But if we assess both the club’s situation and his current predicament, it’s probably best if he stays put.

Kieran Gibbs was one of the young English prodigies to sign a long term contract in 2010 and because of his long term ties with the club, he is still a very popular figure among the fans, the squad and the manager. However, Monreal’s emergence as the league’s premier left back has left Gibbs with limited first team opportunities. Yet Arsenal cannot allow a player like Gibbs to move on so quickly.

Every top club requires (as the cliché goes) two top players for every position and with Monreal and Gibbs on Arsenal’s books this is definitely the case in North London. (Considering the injury predicament we find ourselves in every year, three for every position might be the safer option).

Nevertheless, Gibbs is as important a squad player as anyone. An injury to Monreal (touch wood) would leave Gibbs as the first choice left back and with the raft of games that Arsenal faces every year due to our participation in multiple cup competitions, his place in the squad is definitely required.

Not only is Gibbs our only other left back, he is quality one at that. Gibbs may not have made the progress that was expected of him but he is a very effective attacking fullback and his defensive ability seems to be improving with every game.

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In addition to this, with Wenger often utilising Gibbs as a left winger when trying to protect a lead, there are not many at Arsenal or even in the league who can provide such defensive cover and energy at the end of the game without compromising our typical attacking verve (this was evident when he scored the equaliser against the spuds earlier this season).

Apart from Kieran’s on-field value, he is also very much ‘an Arsenal man’. As one of the few to make it through the youth ranks and excel in the first team, Gibbs is something of a dying breed and provides inspiration for our current crop of youngsters. Arsenal may not be providing him many minutes this season but it is imperative that they hold on to him.

In addition to his value to the club, for the man himself, staying at Arsenal seems like the right thing to do. Every professional wants to play football and any professional would be unsatisfied with the amount of minutes currently on Gibbo’s plate (especially as he is fighting for a place in the England side).