Kieran Gibbs: England National Team's Next Starting Left Back

Arsenal are now the proud owners of five England Internationals, including two perpetual starters (Danny Welbeck and Jack Wilshere), two fringe starters (Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers) and the soon-to-be starting left back and recently-called-up Kieran Gibbs (Theo Walcott will be there soon enough as well).

Call it biased if you want, but I believe that Kieran Gibbs will be starting for the England Internationals after he’s been given enough time to train and mold with the team. He would have been starting for them years ago but injuries have hampered his playtime (he is a Gunner after all).

Kieran Gibbs has long been lauded as potentially one of the best left backs in the world, now it’s time for him to prove it.

The only footballer that can challenge Gibbs for the spot is the current starting left back, Leighton Baines.

Baines is a quality defender. He’s got good attacking tendencies, as he’s played as a midfieleder and striker in the past. His defense is gloriously average.

Gibbs on the other hand has better pace, he plays much better defense and while Baines may have the slightest of edges in the attacking department, Gibbs is no slouch and I’d wager a bet that he creates more chances than Baines did, given the chance to start.

Watching Gibbs for Arsenal, one thing is always clear. As opposed to team mate Nacho Monreal, Gibbs can press high up the pitch to the opposing box and still make it back to defend his own.

He has long been lauded as potentially one of the best left backs in the world, now it’s time for him to prove it.

Perhaps the most important factor that’s in Gibb’s favor is his age. The Arsenal left back is 25 years old, as opposed to the aging Everton back, who weighs in at 29 years of age.

So what?

Kieran Gibbs Will Take Over at Left Back for England’s National Team

By Josh Sippie | Oct 3, 2014