Kieran Gibbs has been labelled a future England left-back by manager Arsene Wenger.
The defender has been elevated into the Arsenal first team since Gael Clichy's injury and is in line to deputise for the Frenchman against Middlesbrough on Sunday and the Gunners' UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.
It is a stark contrast for the 19-year-old who spent a three-month spell on loan at Norwich earlier in the season, but Wenger has every confidence in his youngster and has backed him to follow in the footsteps of former Gunner Ashley Cole.
"I believe that Kieran Gibbs has been outstanding since he came into the team," the Arsenal manager said.
"You have a very promising young left-back for England in Kieran Gibbs.
"I will trust Gibbs because he is an intelligent boy. This is where you are happy that you play these boys in the Carling Cup because they have played in games."
Gibbs has certainly shown great maturity in the way he has handled such a significant step up in both expectations and class of opponent.
And the former Wimbledon academy product intends to make the most of any first-team opportunities which come his way.
"It is what I have been waiting for and hopefully it will add to my experience because of course I am still learning," he said.
"I do not know about the pressure really. I think that because there are so many games right now you just have to adapt really quickly between each one and try to focus on the 90 minutes directly ahead of you.
"I have grown closer to the first team and I feel I have got stronger as the last 12 months have gone on, as I have watched games, become more involved in them and gained more experience.
"Walking through the first-team entrance at the training ground feels a little different too, it is an exciting feeling and it is good to feel near to that side of things.
"Small stuff like that is good, but I still know where I came from and feel part of both sides."
0 comments:
Post a Comment