Arsenal: Kieran Gibbs departure the inevitable ending

Watford have agreed a fee for Kieran Gibbs and are nearing a completion of the deal. After years of frustration and disappointment, it is an inevitable end to his Arsenal career.

Arsene Wenger’s patience with Kieran Gibbs has finally worn thin. After Gael Clichy departed for Manchester City in the summer of 2011, it was hoped that, very much in the same way that the Frenchman deputised for Ashley Cole after Chelsea came calling, Gibbs would proceed to establish himself as the entrenched, reliable Arsenal left-back.

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Unfortunately, though, that has been far from the truth. Primarily, the reasons for Gibbs’ failure to fulfil his potential are beyond his control. Injuries, inconsistent playing time and solid competition, particularly more recently in the shape of Nacho Monreal, have meant that progress has been stop-start, to say the least.

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Whenever Gibbs was afforded the fitness and the faith to start a number of games in succession, he did impress. His athleticism, his pace and his stamina, his attacking intent, as well as his ability to read the game in defensive situations, made him the perfect modern-day full-back, particularly so in Wenger’s system that traditionally asks so much of his wide defenders.

However, he was simply unable to ever perform on a consistent basis. As soon as he looked to be gaining momentum and finding his best form, another injury would strike him down once again. It came to the point that Wenger, naturally, simply grew tired of waiting for Gibbs’ body to ever deal with the physical demands of professional football.

And now, with the free-agent addition of Sead Kolasinac, a player built with a frame that Gibbs could only dream of, as well as the continued presence of Monreal and the increased versatility of Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who are able to switch from wing to wing, there was little room, opportunity or need for Gibbs.

The end is near and it seems as though the next destination has been agreed upon. It was announced that Watford have agreed a fee with Arsenal for the services of the 27-year-old and are now in the process of the negotiating personal terms to complete a deal.

Gibbs’ impending exit — there have been suggestions that Gibbs may not accept personal terms with Watford but it would be surprising to see him stay at the Emirates beyond the transfer deadline day — is inevitable.

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His playing time has only decreased year on year, his standing in the squad is negligible at best, and the time has now come for him to embrace another challenge. It will be sad to see Gibbs go but he is no longer needed and it is only fair to offer him a starting role elsewhere.