Whilst there’s plenty of talk about how Arsenal have been doing in pre-season and especially so after the good performance from the stars last night against Chivas, we are never too far away before the transfer rumour mill gets going yet again. There’s been a lot of focus on Lacazette, Mahrez and Mustafi over the last few days and although Arsenal fans would love to see all three join the club, sadly I cannot see that being the case.
There is however some news developing on the outgoing front of Arsenal football club, with the media today reporting that Arsenal have turned down an approach from fellow Londoners West Ham United for Kieran Gibbs. West Ham, who have taken Carl Jenkinson on loan from Arsenal for the past two seasons seem to have been unsuccessful for trying to secure yet another potential deal for the English right back, so have instead turned their interest towards another one of Arsenal’s men in defence, this time Kieran Gibbs.
West Ham have lost their first choice left back Aaron Cresswell due to injury and it’s been reported the Englishman will be out for the first four months of the Premier League season. It has prompted West Ham to be on the lookout for cover and one player that has obviously interested them is Kieran Gibbs. Gibbs of course is relatively out of favour at Arsenal at the moment due to Monreal’s exceptional performances over the past two years. Gibbs was Arsenal’s first choice left back after the sale of Gael Clichy to Manchester City and he held the spot for a number of years. In fact Gibbs remained as the club’s first choice left back even after Monreal’s arrival at the club, but once the Spaniard got a run of games in the first team, his consistency, confidence and ability have meant that he’s never looked back and been displaced by Arsenal’s number three.
Gibbs was rumoured to be considering his future at the club this summer given his fall in first team opportunities, however there has been little developments on that as of yet. Monreal surely has a few more seasons at the summit of Arsenal football club, so Gibbs may be waiting in the wings for a little while longer if he doesn’t decide to move on. If Arsenal had another known left back behind Gibbs in the pecking order, then it may have been a good move to send Gibbs out on a season long loan to West Ham. However given the uncertainty surrounding the defence and the inevitable injures that are sure to occur of the course of the season, I don’t think it would be entirely wise to send Gibbo out on loan.
But, then again, Gibbs was limited to only three Premier League starts last term, due to the impressive consistency shown by Nacho Monreal in his favoured left-back role, and was expected to push to leave in search of regular action, which he is extremely unlikely to be getting with us.
Should we let him leave to gain regular football?
AH
I wouldn’t as he is a great backup, and very versatile. I’d rather have him than Walcott.
I agree G-Rude. Not only is Gibbs an academy product but he can play two positions well. I think he has put a few of those shockers last season behind him– definitely down to mental strength with so many of our players and for some reason Gibbs appears to overthink the play sometimes. I am glad he is no longer obsessed with constantly fixing his shorts! He’s a great alternative to Nacho.
I have to admit I always liked Gibbs, I can see why Monreal brings a bit more in terms of consistency and Gibbs has been hampered by injuries and lacks physicality (although Monreal and Bellerin are hardly Schwarzeneggers) , but why write him off?
If current market conditions prevail into the future, finding a player better than Gibbs to replace Monreal in the near future (next summer?) might cost you 20-30 million and we all know what that would mean for other incoming transfers that summer.
If anything I would look to give him more minutes so he can continue to develop. Monreal is getting on in age and I wonder if Gibbs has proven he is not the long term replacement?
Don’t need to seel him as he can go in at LB and NM can fill in at CB. Makes sence even if it’s for the time being. We have extra cover now in midfield and I thinking some games we can now play tight Nick a gaol and lock up to a 451
If we sell him we have to buy a replacement, so I cannot see who that would be? However should we like an upgrade, then Rodriguez IMO is better than both our left backs.
For all Rodriguez wonderful traits he is not that great defensively as Gibbs or Monreal, he offers better attacking traits and has a mean free kick, but the way i see it a defender main trait should be able to defend properly anything else is a bonus.
Gibbs to me as been very good over the the pre-season so far, he actually seems to have put on some muscles to go into the new season, he is a very good deputy to Monreal and hopefully will get more time to play in games.
It would be difficult to try and replace him.
Who would be our backup? At this point Gibbs must have pretty much accepted he’s average and is never going to start for us. If we had another LB option outside of Monreal then he’d probably be gone. But no need to sell him if we don’t need to. Debuchy on the other hand needs to leave ASAP. Yesterday was an embarrassment. I’d rather see Chambers at RB than Debuchy.