Arsenal: Playing hard ball with Kieran Gibbs refreshing

Arsenal rejected a £10 million offer from West Bromwich Albion for Kieran Gibbs. Their playing hard ball in any potential sale is refreshing to see given that selling players for a welcome return has been a huge weakness in Arsene Wenger’s management in recent years.

After agreeing to a controversial new two-year deal shortly after the FA Cup win over Chelsea, Arsene Wenger’s attentions immediately turned to a crucial summer transfer window. With a contract crisis hanging over the squad, growing demands for significant investment and a baying fan base if anything took place that disappointed, it was important that Wenger was able to do his Arsenal dealings quickly, deliberately and successfully.

So far, that has most definitely been the case. The free-agent addition of Sead Kolasinac was an astute one, breaking the club-record for Alexandre Lacazette was a positive sign, as has the growing news that several key members are wanting to stay in North London, the most notable of which being Mesut Ozil.

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However, one of Wenger’s key priorities entering the summer was to clear some of the dead wood out of the club. One of the first public comments he made was to describe the squad as ‘heavy’. That suggests several players who are unable to forge a starting or significant role for themselves will be gone by the time the season rolls around.

One of those players is left-back Kieran Gibbs. After the addition of Kolasinac, it is difficult to see where Gibbs fits into Wenger’s plans. Nacho Monreal is a more than reliable deputy, and can play at centre-half also, and Gibbs, at 28, is not exactly a young prospect to be kept in the reserves and groomed for the future. The future is now for Gibbs and that does not involve Arsenal.

Seemingly, Wenger has been making that clear to potential suitors, with several clubs showing their interest and West Bromwich Albion even making a £10 million offer. Arsenal, though, chose to reject that offer, in what is perhaps a surprising development.

In the past, Wenger would have simply accepted the offer and got rid of a player that he has no need for. But that has also seen a raft of players sold for far less than their quality demands.

Not in this case. Even with just one year remaining on his contract, Wenger is willing to play hardball with Gibbs, ensuring that he gets the highest value for his services. That is a refreshing attitude, one that could reward Arsenal greatly given the number of impending sales in the coming months.

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Recruitment for the Gunners must come after sales and they will be able to recruit at a far higher level if they are able to sell for the highest possible price. Traditionally, Wenger has struggled in this area, but judging by the way he’s handled West Brom’s reasonably fair offer for Gibbs, he could be improving.

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