Arsene Wenger says Kieran Gibbs can take his game to the next level now that his body has grown more accustomed to the rigours of top level football.
Hampered by injuries throughout his Arsenal career the England international – who made his debut as a 17-year-old – has proved himself an increasingly consistent performer over the last couple of years, becoming the club’s undisputed first choice left-back despite the acquisition of Nacho Monreal.
Now 25, the same age that Ashley Cole left the club for Chelsea, Wenger says Gibbs would do well to take inspiration from his predecessor.
“It’s a good example to follow because Ashley’s top [quality]. You see stories about Ashley Cole but on the day of a game, when it mattered and when you had to be there, he was always there. You have to respect that.
“It looks to me that he’s going into second gear now and he realises that he can trust his body, he can trust his talent,” continued the boss.
“On Saturday he also showed the personality to impose himself and took the game by the scruff of the neck for a long period in the second half. That’s what you want to see from him because all the talent is there.
“He was [a bit inhibited by his injuries] for a period. What doesn’t help is when you’re in and out because of injury. You need a consistent presence in the team.
“If you don’t have a consistent presence at the top level, you do not have the confidence that makes you feel you belong to this world.”
While it still feels Gibbs is never too far from another fitness issue – he’s already spent three weeks sidelined this season – his appearance stats show an upwards trend over the course of the last four seasons. Indeed, last season he played 41 times for the first team, placing him eigth in the overall team rankings as the Gunners won the FA Cup.
Not too shabby, but still room for improvement.
That’s fine to use Cashley as an example in terms of fitness, as long as Gibbs doesn’t become a cunt.
Thumbs down obviously, but Ashley Cole is not a cunt. We were tight cunts. He’s proved he was worth that 50,000 a week. Think objectively.
hmm thats probably true on paper but as an arsenal fan my thoughts on matters such as this are inherently subjective.
As no less of a gooner than you, I am saying Ashley Cole should be perceived as a mistake by our club. Not some kind of cunt. The boy understood his worth and earned it, a responsibility you don’t share with him personally. We lost one of the great left backs because of an extra 20k [960k a year] which would still see him paid considerably less than his socialist teammates and part time invincibles. We under-bet on the growth of football in general and would have ridden our debt repayments better with success on the pitch a.k.a retaining talent.… Read more »
Ouch!
Everytime i think Gibbs i remember 2008 semi final vs Man utd, lol but he is a grown up now, just need to stay feet and he will be the best LB in england
Every time I think Gibbs I remember that tackle against West Brom, last day of the 2012 season.
I always mention that moment as my favourite of season.
It really is a wonder how he has so little international caps for England. Hope that he can kick on and push for a place in the team
With our luck, im happy for him to stay at home safe while the likes of luke shaw and baines can go off with england and injure themselves
Yes. How Shaw, a teenager with no experience from Champions League or big decisive games in general got picked ahead of Gibbs for the WC squad is abit of a mystery. Granted Shaw had a brilliant season, but he is still a Rookie at the top level of football, and he had never had any pressure on him from big decisive games where he is expected to perform well. When he made mistakes for Southampton, nobody knocked him for it since they were not crucial to their Season. Nobody expected Southampton to win or challenge for any trophies, and they… Read more »
Don’t believe Cashley left us when he was only 25!!!
The cunt thought 55k was not enough at 25yrs old!!!! Wow
“Cashley” as you call him was offered 90k/w at Chelsea and he told Arsenal to offer him just 60K but we baulked, so he bailed.
Let’s face facts, between 2006 and 2014, he earned 90k and later 120k/w while winning EVERY single trophy a player can win multiple times. Or he could have stayed at Arsenal, earned half that money and won NOTHING.
Let’s face facts.
What is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doing in an article about Gibbs?
They are Doubles.Ask the ref from Chelsea game last year
Disgraceful….. fucking disgraceful…..
How can an Arsenal fan not recognize Theo after all these years?
If he overcomes his fitness issues;he can be as good as Cole. Funny Shaw was preferred over him for the World cup considering his PL &CL experience.
Am I the only one who doesn’t care if or when he gets picked for England?
They could ruin his fitness and career.
Either scapegoated or injured playing in a meaningless commercial friendly against Gibraltar.
I remember a game we played against united at OT. and cole was magnificent that day thwarting ronaldo. even ronaldo was patting hiim on the back.
always respected his skill and competitiveness despite his massive cuntishness.
Fuck England. If he can overcome his injuries I fully expect him to become as everpresent and reliable as Nutty himself. Legendary no3 in the making
In footballing terms alone I guess.
Not an example in loyalty though.
I have to say I am happy that England are picking Luke Chubby Shaw ahead of Gibbs. With Gibbs’ injury record, I would much rather have him resting at home or playing Play Station Fifa tournaments at Mertesacker’s house. I can just see Mert screaming “No one beats the BFG!” and laughing hysterically before BBQing some sausages and waxing poetic about the tribulations of German politics.
Yes, Wenger….you wish one of our players was as good as one of our invincibles….someone you sold for peanuts….someone who would have made us better and not a rival. Twat. Just two more years of this rubbish and we can get a manager in who wants to win the title.
Cole is still a cunt. It isn’t just about what Arsebal should have done to keep him, also how he behaved then and afterwards. Certainly afterwards, it was only this year when he posted a thumbs up picture on Twitter after our defeat at that mall they Stamford Bridge.
He’s a cunt. A relentless cunt.
Don’t get me wrong Chief….Cole is a cunt.
….but Wenger is a total fool….he sells Viera because he is 29 and passed it, but now Arteta gets a new contract at 32 and he hopes Gibbs can one day be as good as Cole!…who he GAVE away for fuckin Gallas!
Can’t help but wonder why Shaw got a call up over Gibbs at the World Cup! Don’t get me wrong Shaw is talented but Gibbs had played against top players and I can’t ever remember him being in a wingers pocket