In some ways the Arsenal left back Kieran Gibbs has had a bit of luck this week, with the injury to the Southampton star Ryan Bertrand leading to a rare international call up by the new England manager Gareth Southgate, as reported on the Arsenal website.
On the other hand it is just about typical of Gibbs’ luck that the exact same thing has happened to his rival at Arsenal Nacho Monreal, who has joined up with Spain for the first time in three years after an injury to the Barcelona defender Jordi Alba.
We will have to wait and see if either or both of the two Gunners play, but Gibbs will be hoping that Southgate gives him a chance, not only to boost his international chances but also to get a chance to remind Arsene Wenger of his qualities, because he is firmly behind the Spaniard in the pecking order and has just three appearances from the bench in the Premier League and Champions League to his name this season.
Gibbs did start the EFL cup win over Nottingham Forest and is likely to start again when Reading come to London for the next round, but could this England call-up help him to get more time in the Arsenal first team?
Bob.
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