%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Kieran Gibbs a Permanent Solution to Arsenal’s Current Problem
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal had a stinker at West Ham and there were many things to pick out as a contributing problem. However, one point to pick out that stands out more than the rest is the lack of width that the Gunners employed, particularly on the left side.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
In Pain in the Arsenal’s tactical dissection of the match, this width was analyzed and it came down to a matter of not having a true left winger. Arsenal had to go with Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil on the left side of the pitch, neither of whom is a left winger, let alone a winger at all. They stick to the center of the pitch and eliminate all hope of using the full width of the pitch.
Mesut Ozil was the left winger but given that he is a No. 10 and that is what he has always been good at, he spent the majority of his time drifting to the center of the pitch where he belonged. The same applies to Santi Cazorla. With Ramsey and the Spaniard flanking Coquelin, Arsenal lost all width behind the front lines because both Ramsey and Cazorla are central midfielders.
Although with the Ox on the right, Ramsey’s side did not feel the strain as much because the Ox brings width to that side of the pitch.
Alexis is going to be back and he is going to be a proper winger but even Alexis is more accustomed to central duties, as he primarily plays as a striker or a No. 10. He is going to get the ball on the left and cut in centrally. As soon as he does that, Arsenal again lose their width on that side of the pitch as Alexis, Ozil and our host of central midfielders all look to clutter in the middle of the box searching out a goal.
Enter Kieran Gibbs.
Gibbs began his career as a striker. He has excellent pace and his offensive abilities mirror those of Hector Bellerin on the other side of the ball. Plus, he is left-footed.
Putting Kieran Gibbs at left back is an easy solution. We gain the width that he brings from his striking instincts and his excellent pace. His crossing abilities would be an added offensive weapon from the left side, something that Alexis simply does not contribute.
More from Arsenal News
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
With Alexis set to rejoin the Gunners this weekend against a very stingy Crystal Palace, Arsenal can revert back to their 4-2-3-1 formation, cutting out either Cazorla or Ramsey, neither of whom will be too pleased but that is a topic for a different day.
Arsenal still need that width, especially against a Crystal Palace defense that could out-muscle the entire Arsenal midfield with ease. We have to spread them across the length of the pitch and without a true winger to hold down the left side, a left back like Gibbs is the only solution.
Nacho Monreal has performed admirably but he lacks the offensive abilities that Gibbs has. Kieran Gibbs is a great crosser and he has the abilities to recover on defense as well. There is a reason why he was so hyped and prepped as the next great left back. He gives Arsenal a weapons they sorely need.
Next: 5 Things we Learned from West Ham Loss