Arsenal: Ben Gibson Utterly Depressing And Hopefully Untrue

Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson is being linked with a move to Arsenal after his England call-up. That is utterly depressing and hopefully untrue.

Whether you are a ‘Wenger In’ or ‘Wenger Out’ proponent, what cannot be doubted is that change is needed at the Emirates. The same old approach is clearly not having the desired effect and it is need of freshening up. How Arsenal are to go about enacting that change, though, that is where the argument begins.

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Many, or at least a growing percentage of the fanbase, would suggest that the change is needed at management level. Arsene Wenger has come to the end of his successful time in North London and a new manager with a new approach bringing a new vision is needed.

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Nearly all would say that a change is needed at board level: an implementation of a more modern infrastructure where there is less reliance on the decisions and the influence of one man with greater finances invested from Stan Kroenke and the other shareholders, however unlikely that may seem.

Another change that is difficult to argue against is with the playing personnel. What has been made clear during a season where the same mental and defensive shortcomings have reared heir ugly head once again is that improvements must be made across the board, with many of the older, less reliable players sold with bigger names brought in to replace them.

However, such a transfer approach does not pertain to Ben Gibson. Without meaning any offence to the undoubtedly solid and dependable Middlesbrough defender, Arsenal should not be in the market for a player of his calibre. He is a good, sound, safe defender, a player capable of never excelling in the Premier League, but being consistently good. That is why such reports linking him with a move to the Emirates are so concerning.

Arsenal are in need of world class, game changing talents. Players capable of inspiring titles, of leading them to European success. Solid but unspectacular players are not who they should be targeting this summer.

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Whether this rumour is indeed true or not remains to be seen. I certainly doubt the validity of it. However, it does raise the question about the calibre of player that the club is targeting in the window. Are they ambitious, looking to match Chelsea, at the top of the Premier League? Or are they simply looking for good value, consolidating on their financial security? I fear that they may choose the latter.