It’s a question that is on our lips, in our thoughts, and definitely something we’re debating right now… the big question of whether Kieran Gibbs, literally unheard of this time last year, but now a household name… will the young left back made the England squad for World Cup in South Africa next summer?
So, let’s start by looking at the competition…
Ashley Cole
The ex Arsenal player, and one player whom I have quite a dislike for, is actually is some of the best form of his life. If I am correct, he has scored a few goals for Chelsea this season as well as chipping in with a few assists. He is currently the England first choice, but in my opinion, despite being in the form of his life, he is still bad at positioning and doesn’t always made the right decisions going forward.
Wayne Bridge
Probably in the worst form of his life. Down at Man City, he has been in some really shocking form, and has been criticised heavily in the press and actually all quarters. He’s been caught out of position, and
Stephen Warnock
A former Liverpool academy graduate, he is currently plying his trade at Aston Villa. He was once very highly rated, but stagnated during his at Blackburn. Martin O’Neill rates him highly and if he plays in a good team, then he could capture his early form that saw him play over 60 times for Liverpool…
So, are you thinking what I’m thinking? Wayne Bridge out, Kieran Gibbs in? Although it is Bridge and Warnock that are in the squad for the game tomorrow against Brazil… so there is a lot of work for young Gibbs to do… The young Gooner has been very good both last season, in pre season and this season deputising for Gael Clichy…
Let’s see what Gibbsy thinks about his time so far as he talks about the coaching at Arsenal…
“I think it is changing. There is a new angle coming into the way we are taught to play, especially here at Arsenal. You always learn first how to play the game technically and the coaches and everyone else at Arsenal really help you with that. It’s quite hard to get my head around the fact I am now playing in the first team but I couldn’t have done anything without the coaching. It is all credit to them.”
The number 28 also summarised where this new English talent was coming from….
“Hale End is where the English talent develops at Arsenal. Not just me, there are loads of players coming through. Jack Wilshere of course, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Henri Lansbury and there are many others coming through. It is a good place for the young English players to learn their trade.”
Unless, of course, we manage to unearth another English left back from our production line that has seen Cole, Clichy, Traore and Gibbs come through from our academy. To be honest, if I was a young player who thought I could make it at the top, there is only one team I’d sign for given half the chance…
So over to you, do you think Kieran Gibbs will make the World Cup squad?
