Champions League - Gibbs set for Alkmaar test

PA Sport - Wed, 04 Nov 09:53:00 2009

Arsene Wenger is confident youngster Kieran Gibbs will thrive in an unexpected run at left-back in the first team.

2009-10 Premier League Arsenal Kieran Gibbs - 0

With Gael Clichy set for an extended spell on the sidelines following a stress fracture to his lower back, 20-year-old Gibbs will start against AZ Alkmaar in Wednesday night's Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

"I was very comfortable to have a solution to rest Clichy when it was needed and play Gibbs. Now suddenly there is a huge stress on Gibbs to play in every game," said Wenger.

"Capello and England will be happy because they want him to play of course, but it is still a blow for us to lose Clichy."

Wenger, though, declared: "I have no doubt about the quality of Gibbs, and I have said that many times."

Meanwhile, midfielder Tomas Rosicky returns to the squad following a knee problem.

Striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin), goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski (thigh), Theo Walcott (knee), Denilson (back) remain sidelined.

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 17 of 17

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  1. Kieran Gibbs will do fine. Go­ ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From a89, on Wed 4 Nov 10:12PM

  2. Post 12. Delbert,and before Nigel Winterburn. Kenny­ Sansom,Bob McNab and I can just about remember Wally­ Barnes.

    From John, on Wed 4 Nov 5:17PM

  3. where is traore he is bigger and stronger for that­ position, but gibbs is still ok

    From none, on Wed 4 Nov 4:38PM

  4. arsenal will dominate the whole match - like they­ always do at home - and surely book a place in the­ knockout stages of the CL
    go on the arsenal!!!!!!

    From chrisgoldman60, on Wed 4 Nov 4:09PM

  5. Arsenal fans ... a song for Sir Alex to the tune of­ "Baby Face"

    Bacon­ face, you've got that­ stupid little bacon­ face,
    You'll put those­ referees in their place,­ bacon face,
    Boy you just­ started something, your Man U­ boys will get a­ thumping,

    Bacon face, we're all in­ heaven when we­ see Rio's no pace
    Arsene's got wonder kids,­ Ronaldos' at Madrid
    So shut up stupid­ bacon­ fay-ya-yace!

    From ALAN, on Wed 4 Nov 3:54PM

  6. I have no problem with Gibbs coming into replace­ Clichy. We are lucky to have had some many quality­ players in this area right back to Nigel Winterburn.

    From Delberto Gooner, on Wed 4 Nov 3:35PM

  7. Syamsul, Denilson is much more effective to replace­ diaby. Look back at last year's statistics if you­ don't agree with me. Budak tu badan aje kecik, tapi­ peratusan bentesan dan pintasan dia adalah antara yang­ paling tinggi antara SEMUA pemain tengah liga perdana­ inggeris (baku gile!) . Arsenal conceded less goal­ during his presence. This I read somewhere in august­ this year. That's why wenger is not buying any­ defensive mid. Song is there to cover either centreback­ or defensive mid if such situation occur.

    From Jo, on Wed 4 Nov 3:04PM

  8. al-ghazali...u are true.gibbs are slowly pick up his­ consistency and one day could replace clichy at left­ back...but clichy is still needed as he is one of the­ seniors in arsenal..his absence will be felt as clichy­ is faster than gibbs.his overlap run is exceptional­ with arshavin on the left side is fantastic..arsenal­ defence are getting solid this season, with sagna­ become more reliable than last season, eboue could­ cover if sagna is missing...just centre back we stil­ have no backup for vermaelen..i dont know what happen­ if vermaelen or gallas injured....hopefully it wont­ happen in the near future as arsenal are in their­ winning ways...and Diaby...plz rosicky or nasri recover­ fast enuff to send him back to the bench

    From Syamsul, on Wed 4 Nov 2:42PM

  9. gibbs ni pengganti clichy.x keterlaluan gak kalau aku­ ckp yg gibbs akan ketepikan clichy sepertimana flamini­ ketepikan gilberto silva dulu. come on gibbs! ko lg­ bgus dari cashley cole. hak3

    From Al Ghazali, on Wed 4 Nov 2:18PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I love sports. Feel free to view my se xual photos--­ under "tINAXA" @ Afro M i n gle - c - o - m­ -- where you- can

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    From Elena, on Wed 4 Nov 12:53PM

  11. he's a good player, still feel bad for his slip in­ the CL semi-final last season...wish him all the best

    From rbrangmanjr, on Wed 4 Nov 12:50PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Just don't slip over in the box again, that's­ my tip for the young lad.
    Must be embarrasing knowing­ your single error, that one slip lead to JI-SUNG PARK­ scoring a goal (rare in itself), to knockout your side­ Arsenal (rare that Man Utd face Arsenal in UCL) in the­ Semi Finals (rare Arsenal get that far). Not only this,­ but that error lead everyone in the stadium to believe­ that the campaign was over, resulting in Ronaldo taking­ full advantage with possibly the second best UCL goal­ last season (behind his porto goal) and the best­ example of a counter attack.

    But don't let all­ that sit on your mind Kieran...

    But in all­ seriousness, I think he will become the next England­ left back and become a very good player, but just­ hasn't quite got the experience to face a quality­ side. Should do well against Alkmaar though, I hope he­ does cos I'm a left back and there is nothing­ better than watching an attacking left back tear up the­ wing.

    From Sam D, on Wed 4 Nov 12:50PM

  13. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee where is Calos Vela of­ Arsenal.

    From gbenga, on Wed 4 Nov 11:42AM

  14. Is Gibbs a good player?
    Yes(thumbs up)
    NO(thumbs­ down)

    From Wt, on Wed 4 Nov 11:20AM

  15. keiran gibbs can do it, trust him

    From Nazri, on Wed 4 Nov 10:44AM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Who cares!!! My boyfriend thinks the same with me. He­ is eight years older than me, lol. We met at­ __Agelessmatch @ c o m__a nice and free place for­ Younger Women and Older Men, or Older Women and Younger­ Men, to interact with each other. Maybe you wanna check­ out or tell your friends.

    From hi.kalyjones, on Wed 4 Nov 10:36AM

  17. I support Arsenal but I dont think that Keiran Gibbs is­ very experienced, although he is an okay player­ sometimes he lacks confidence and doesn't make too­ many defensive challenges. In Arsenal's 2-1 win­ against Liverpool he was definetely a five star­ defender to the end. If he keeps it up we'll be­ going to the next game after a Arsenal - 2 AZ Alkmaar -­ 0 win. Keep it up you Gunners!

    From Tarin, on Wed 4 Nov 10:23AM
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