Arsenal: Nacho Monreal May Have Buried Kieran Gibbs For Good

Arsenal are blessed with a wealth of fullbacks, so good, quality players may get shoved to the side. Thanks to Nacho Monreal, that has happened to Gibbs.

I started out Arsenal’s match against Tottenham by pointing out on Twitter that I planned to harp on every single thing Nacho Monreal did wrong. I was not happy with him starting over Kieran Gibbs and seeing as how I can’t just email Wenger and tell him I’m unhappy, I had to let it out on social media.

The only other thing I said about Nacho Monreal for the duration of the match was that I owe him an apology. He was absolutely superb at a time where we absolutely needed him. Not once did he look outmatched. Not once was his pace called into question.

It was the perfect return from injury and it absolutely justified leaving Gibbs on the bench.

Which made me think after the match that this may have been the final nail in Gibbs’ coffin. Unless the Englishman has the patience of a titan, there is nothing to be found here. He could be 30 himself before Monreal makes way.

By now, Gibbs has to understand that Wenger is a man that doesn’t make changes all that often (which makes it all the more shocking when Gibbs took a seat for two years following what seemed like a single mistake).

That being said, Monreal may have been fading, but with this stalwart performance, he has reasserted himself and I wouldn’t be surprised if he had completely undone all the negativity he was starting to pile up this year.

Gibbs will not make it back into the Premier League starting XI so long as the Spaniard is healthy. Not this year. Not unless Monreal starts backheeling balls into our own net, and I’m not so sure that’s a likely outcome.

Kieran Gibbs is incredibly talented and for as much as I want to see him given his fair chance, I have to be realistic and see that it just isn’t going to happen. Not with Wenger in charge. Monreal has the key to the mint at this point. He has put himself in a similar situation as Bellerin.

Unless Gibbs wants to stay on for secondary competitions and for the false feeling of fighting for a position, there is nothing here for him. Again, unless he has supreme patience and is willing to wait it out.

More games: friv

Arsenal: Kieran Gibbs Deserves Chance Over Nacho Monreal

Despite Monreal being a contender for team of the season last year, 2016-17 hasn’t been quite so good. Gibbs deserves an Arsenal chance at this point.

Last season Nacho Monreal was Mr Consistent for Arsenal – playing 37 of 38 games in the BPL. Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin was becoming the best right back in the league on the other side. It was the perfect full back pairing. Pace from Hector and positioning from Nacho became a perfect match.

However, this season for both hasn’t exactly started how they would have liked. Whilst Bellerin hasn’t shown last season’s form, he has done what Monreal did last season – he’s been consistent. On the other hand, Monreal is suffering against pacy wingers and probably will not have the legs to complete all the league games this season- bringing Kieran Gibbs back into the equation.

Gibbs’ starts will be infrequent and split up throughout the year as Monreal is still first choice. Gibbs should be given a run in the team now, for a consistent amount of time, perhaps just five matches.

My first reason is pace. Monreal isn’t slow, but he’s not as fast as Gibbs by a long way. To prove this, here are Gibbs’ and Monreal’s pace stats on FIFA since 2013:

2013- Nacho: 81  Gibbs: 84

2014- Nacho: 78  Gibbs: 84

2015- Nacho: 78  Gibbs: 81

2016- Nacho: 77  Gibbs: 81

As you can see, Kieran has been considerably faster over the years and pace is now such an important thing for full-backs. Branislav Ivanovic, Aleksandar Kolarov and Bacary Sagna have all been exposed for their lack of pace and have in some cases cost their teams the game, causing criticism from pundits and fans alike. This makes Gibbs able to track the fastest right wingers, something Monreal just can’t do.

Another reason why Gibbs should start is that he’s more of a goalscorer. Everyone loves a left-back who can get forward and score and Gibbs is no different. He’s scored six goals in all competitions since breaking through from the youth team and many of them have been spectacular. Consider his volley against Swansea.

On the other hand, Monreal has only scored two goals for Arsenal, and one was a deflected pot shot from the edge of the area. However, it’s not the full-backs’ job to score goals, their job is to defend. And you can’t argue that Monreal wins on that front so it all evens out in the end.

Finally, Kieran deserves a chance because he’s stuck with Arsenal through thick and thin. He’s been back up to Clichy and patiently waited his turn. When he got it Wenger signed Andre Santos and he was in the first team for a short, short  while. Eventually, Gibbs had his shot but then in came Monreal and he fell out of favour again.

Gibbs never truly nailed down the left-back berth, but in all fairness, he never was given a long enough chance. Moreover, throughout all of this, he’s never complained and just got on with being Arsene’s park the bus left winger.

Kieran Gibbs says Per Mertesacker’s injury is a good opportunity

The German is set to miss five months of the season after picking up an injury.

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has told the Mirror that Per Mertesacker’s injury has provided the club’s youngsters with an opportunity.

The defender picked up an injury in the recent friendly with Lens and is now set to miss the first five months of the season.

It has left a major hole the heart of the Gunners defence, which is also set to be without Laurent Koscielny for the start of the campaign after his exertions with France at Euro 2016.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott, Mathieu Debuchy, Kieran Gibbs and manager Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has admitted they will enter the market for a defender to try and fix the issue, but Gibbs says the German’s absence is actually a chance for the youngsters to impress instead.

“Per is a big loss on and off the pitch as he is one of our biggest characters and a leader,” he told the Mirror.

“We are a young squad in general and with Per out for a few months it is a good opportunity for the young players and for those looking to become more senior and fill his role off the pitch.”

Arsenal's Calum Chambers in action with Hull's David Meyler

One man who should be looking to stake a claim is defender Calum Chambers given the lack of opportunities he had last season.

He has fallen down the pecking order after a strong start to life at the Emirates, but this injury to Mertesacker presents him with a chance to get his foot in the door once again.

It remains to be seen if he can take the opportunity or if Wenger makes a move to sign a replacement before the end of the window.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Should Arsenal let Kieran Gibbs join Liverpool?

Whilst Arsenal have today been officially rejected by Jamie Vardy, it seems we are not the only club being dealt a blow in the transfer market. It is reported in the media today that Liverpool have been left disappointed in their attempts to sign Arsenal and England left back Kieran Gibbs, with Liverpool not willing to meet the Gunner’s valuation.

It had been reported in recent weeks that Liverpool had approached Arsenal with an enquiry about left back Kieran Gibbs, who is supposedly considering if he has a future at Arsenal, after two years of being primarily placed on the bench. With Gibbs considering his future and concerns that he needs to be playing regular first team football at this stage of his career, Arsenal were supposedly willing to let Gibbs go. However the Gunners value him at £12 million according to the Daily Express, a valuation that Liverpool are not willing to meet.

Gibbs was formerly a first team regular for the years after Gael Clichy and kept Nacho Monreal out of the starting eleven after the Spaniard signed for the Gunners back in 2013. However as Monreal’s English grew, so did his consistency and performances for the Gunners and now we haven’t looked back since. Monreal has gone on to become one of the most consistent defenders in the league and was even in for a shout of Arsenal’s best defender last year.

I can understand why Gibbs may want to leave, as he really has struggled to make a regular run of appearances on the pitch in recent years. At the moment I can’t see him overtaking Monreal for that first team slot, however Arsenal did formerly rate the Englishman as the club’s next Ashley Cole and I think with Monreal not getting any younger, there is still a future at Arsenal for the 26 year old.

Or do you think we should let him go and bring in someone younger?

5 most wanted Scottish-based players this summer

Rob O'Connor lists the five players finding their name on a few shortlists this summer

Kieran Tierney, Celtic 

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He’s a full Scotland international, a pivotal member of Celtic’s title-winning side and the most hotly sought-after player north of the border

Just 12 months ago, Kieran Tierney had a little over 90 minutes of first-team football under his belt. Now he’s a full Scotland international, a pivotal member of Celtic’s title-winning side and the most hotly sought-after player north of the border. It’s a far cry from the night he served as a ball-boy when the Bhoys beat Barcelona 2-1 in November 2012.

Tierney only turns 19 on June 5 but looks set to command a fee of £10million should any deal be made for his services this summer, which is looking increasingly likely. As strong at the back as he is going forward, the Manx-born starlet has forged a reputation as a great reader of the game with a football brain that defies his tender years.

Would be a fit for: Arsenal. Gunners scout Danny Karbassiyoon has talked about intelligence on the ball as the key factor in identifying top quality youth at the Emirates. A ball-playing full-back who gets stuck in – “He’d tackle his granny,” says Celtic skipper Scott Brown – he could provide the right blend of grit and guile to bolster Arsenal’s title credentials, while spelling the end of Kieran Gibbs’ stay in north London.

John McGinn, Hibs

Only 21 but already with four seasons of first team football behind him, the former St Mirren midfielder has played in two Hampden Park cup finals and was awarded man of the match on his international debut for Scotland, a 1-0 win against Denmark in March. This month he was voted PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year, despite Hibs failing in the play-offs in their bid to return to the Scottish Premiership.

Combative and creative, McGinn raised eyebrows in not just holding his own but excelling on his first run-out in the international arena at Hampden, which is quickly beginning to feel like home for the Hibs youngster – he impressed again as Hibs beat Rangers to end their 114-year wait for the Scottish Cup. He’s been praised for his energy and bursting runs from midfield, and his development has been the high point of a bitter-sweet year for the Easter Road side.

Would be a fit for: Any side which relies on breaking up play and attacking with speed; the south coast seems a good bet. Southampton could have a vacancy if any one of Saido Mane, Dusan Tadic or Victor Wanyama were to move on in the summer, and slick but sometimes stretched Bournemouth would likely be interested in McGinn’s blend of industry and craft.

Erik Sviatchenko, Celtic

Born in Denmark to Ukrainian parents, Erik Sviatchenko was a highly-rated product of the youth academy at Danish champions FC Midtjylland, where he captained the U19 side and was a perennial award-winner. He made his debut for his birth country last year in a friendly win against the USA and the 24-year-old is being groomed as the heir to Daniel Agger.

Since arriving in Glasgow in January, Sviatchenko has been a defensive rock, and by May he had been handed the captain’s armband in the absence of regular skipper Scott Brown. Unfazed by the unenviable task of filling the hole left by Virgil van Dijk, the centre-back helped the champions rack up comfortably the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership: of his 16 starts, they lost only two. 

His displays suggest the possibility of similar success should a Premier League side take the same punt as Southampton did on van Dijk last summer – although Sviatchenko would need to be very impressed: he turned down English suitors in January before signing a four-and-a-half-year deal with “much bigger club” Celtic.

Would be a fit for: Everton, should John Stones make his long-speculated move away. Another defender comfortable in possession, the Dane is also a vocal leader who could knock heads together at the heart of a chaotic back four at Goodison Park. The Toffees could do a lot worse than to follow Southampton’s example and take a gamble on another Hoops’ stopper to fill a freshly gaping hole.

Jamie Walker, Hearts

“I’ll be very surprised if there’s not a big offer made for Jamie from down south this summer,” said former Hearts midfielder Paul Smith in March of 22-year-old Jamie Walker. Smith had mentored Walker during a loan spell at Raith Rovers in 2011/12  and has watched the Hearts winger nail down a regular place in the side. The Edinburgh-born starlet already has over 100 first team appearances and 26 goals for the Tynecastle outfit.

Not the most physical player in the Premiership, Walker has earned his plaudits from his unerring ability to cut in from the flanks and split defences with his direct running. 

“When he’s on his day, you just want to give him the ball,” said former teammate Brad McKay. “Jamie can play on the wing, but if it was up to me, I’d always have him in the No.10 role and let him roam around and cause problems. He’s just an incredibly talented footballer.” His performances this year helped third-place Hearts return to Europe after a four-year absence.

Would be a fit for: La Liga. Former West Brom boss Pepe Mel was reportedly keen to take him to Betis but the Baggies cast off has since been replaced in Seville by Gus Poyet. Walker’s trickery and speed of thought would be a pleasing fit in a league that purrs over silkily-skilled operators. He may need to bulk up to draw interest from the Premier League. 

Stefan Johansen, Celtic

They love a creative No.2 at Parkhead, and Stefan Johansen is no different. Treading where club favourites Lubo Moravcik and Shunsuke Nakamura have left huge footprints before him, the Norway international stepped into the heart of Celtic’s midfield in January 2014 and quickly made it his own, taking last season’s PFA Scotland Player of the Year to go with his Kniksen Award for being Norway’s best midfielder in 2013.

Celtic spent much of last summer batting away transfer speculation and will need a steely resolve to do so again. A handful of Bundesliga clubs expressed interest during the summer window and off the back of another championship-winning season, in which Johansen – now 25 – has been imperious at the heart of the Bhoys’ midfield, contract negotiations have broken down... which has alerted clubs on the continent once more.

Would be a fit at: In terms of the Premier League, he could reasonably expect to hold down a place at a top ten club, with West Ham, Southampton and Stoke all well suited to the kind of high-energy, free-flowing football that the Norwegian has played to move himself to the top of Scotland’s most-wanted list. There will be strong competition from Germany again, however. 

Premier League Transfer Rumours: Stones, Carvalho, Ben Arfa, Morata and More

Which is the latest Premier League club looking to land Everton's John Stones? Who has been watching Sporting's William Carvalho in action over the weekend? Could Hatem Ben Arfa be in for a return to the Premier League? And, who is dropping interest in one Juventus player to go after Alvaro Morata instead?

Learn the answers to these questions and more in today's roundup of Premier League rumours.

11. Baggies and Eagles Rival Watford for Liverpool Teen

It turns out that ​Watford and Liverpool aren't the only clubs keen for Jerome Sinclair's signature. The Reds are eager for the youngster to agree a new contract, while the Hornets are looking to snap the forward up as a free agent.

However, according to the ​Daily Mirror, both West Brom and Crystal Palace are also keeping an eye on proceedings and hold an interest. Sinclair is said to have already agreed a deal with Watford, but the uncertainties over a potential fee tribunal mean that the subject of his future is still far from a closed matter.

10. Premier League Trio Battling for Southend Stopper

​Bournemouth, Norwich and Everton are all believed to be ready to battle it out to sign rising Southend goalkeeper Daniel Bentley this summer. That is, according to a report from the ​Daily Mirror, which claims that the Cherries are ready to really step things up.

Bentley, who rose to prominence at the end of last season following his penalty shootout heroics in the League Two play-off final at Wembley, is due to become a free agent at the end of the current campaign. The 22-year-old is also believed to be of interest to Hull and Cardiff, while he was briefly linked with West Ham last summer.

9. West Ham Look to Ljajic

​Once set to sign for Manchester United as a teenager until the proposed deal fell through, Adem Ljajic is now being linked with a summer move to West Ham for the second time after opting to join Inter instead of the Hammers in 2015.

According to the ​Daily Mail, the Nerazzurri appear unlikely to make their loan deal for Ljajic permanent, leaving West Ham the opportunity to resurrect their interest. The Serbian winger is said to be on a long list of summer targets for Slaven Bilic, along with fellow countryman and Torino defender Nikola Maksimovic, and could arrive in east London on loan.

8. Big Funds on Offer for Next Aston Villa Boss

​David Moyes is the man being widely tipped to take over at Aston Villa this summer. Recruitment will be huge in determining whether the club sinks or swims in the Championship, and a report from the ​Daily Mail claims that a sizeable transfer budget will be made available for the new boss.

However, it is said that Moyes still needs some convincing to drop into the second tier despite the potential promises, and is currently still looking to keep his options open.

7. Man Utd Scout Arsenal Target

​William Carvalho has been a rumoured Premier League target for actual years now. Arsenal are the club that has been at the forefront for most of that time, but Manchester United have always been lurking in the background and now appear to be back in 'the race', so to speak.

A report from ​A Bola in Portugal has revealed that United scouts were in attendance to watch Carvalho in Sporting CP's Primeira Liga game against Moreirense over the weekend. The Old Trafford club were also looking at versatile 23-year-old midfielder Joao Mario.

United, of course, have had a strong relationship with Sporting in the past after doing business over both Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani.

6. Spurs Hold Edge Over Stoke in Berahino Chase

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has hinted that the Potters are likely to lose out to Tottenham in the chase for Saido Berahino, vaguely suggesting that the young West Brom striker has more interest in joining Spurs despite a good offer from the Britannia.

"​If we're being realistic, if a player has a choice of Spurs or Stoke, then we could pitch up and make a good case for them to come here. But they may feel Spurs is a more attractive option and we have to accept that," Hughes is quoted as saying by ​the Sun.

He never mentioned Berahino by name, but it was fairly clear as to who he was talking about.

5. Liverpool Fighting PSG for Premier League Reject

​If there's a player available, he's invariably going to be linked with Liverpool and it appears that Hatem Ben Arfa is no exception to that rule. According to ​the Sun, the Reds are interested, although they will have to fight off competition from Paris Saint-Germain.

Now 29-years-old, Ben Arfa has turned his career around after leaving English football in disgrace in early 2015. So much so that he has one of the world's biggest clubs on his tail. And Liverpool.

4. Arsenal Eye Move for Leicester Left-Back

​Clearly no longer satisfied with what Kieran Gibbs has to offer and conscious that Nacho Monreal is now the wrong side of 30, Arsene Wenger is reportedly eyeing a summer move for highly coveted Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell.

The story comes from the ​Daily Mirror and claims that Arsenal are 'back in' for the teenage defender. With his current deal due to expire in June, Chilwell is said to be considering the offer of a new contract from Leicester, but the Gunners, along with Chelsea and Liverpool will hope they can turn the player's head and prise him away.

3. Chelsea Keen on Fulham's Dembele

​Tottenham's proposed January capture of Fulham striker Moussa Dembele appeared to fall apart at the last minute, despite reports of the youngster even getting as far as undergoing a medical. Now, there will be stiff competition for his signature.

According to the ​Daily Mail, Chelsea are eyeing a summer swoop for the soon-to-be free agent, who is not expected to sign a new contract at Craven Cottage. It is said that if Dembele does complete a switch to Stamford Bridge, his new club would potentially look to loan him out in a bid to help give him as much playing time as possible.

Chelsea sign young talent. Young talent is loaned out. Young talent is never heard of again. Let's hope Dembele can be the exception to that rule if this deal is to actually happen.

A report from the ​Daily Mirror also suggests that Alexandre Pato is keen to remain a Chelsea player next season when his current loan spell comes to an end.

2. Man City Switch Juventus Targets

​Rumour has it that Pep Gaurdiola's Manchester City revolution will see up £300m spent on as many as eight players in nearly every position on the pitch. But the latest reports suggest that rather than go after Paul Pogba as planned, the raid on Juventus will be for a different player.

According to a story by ​the Sun, City will end their pursuit of the French midfielder, who could command a near world record fee of £80m, and target Alvaro Morata instead. The Spanish striker is valued at £30m, although there will be competition from Real Madrid who have a buy-back option they are reportedly keen to exercise.

1. Mourinho 'Sanctions' Triple Man Utd Bid

​Jose Mourinho is not Manchester United manager, but it's becoming clearer and clearer that he thinks he is, or at the very least will be come July. As such, the rumours of his transfer plans keep growing and​ the Sun has claimed that a 'triple bid' has been sanctioned by the 'new' boss.

Benfica teenager Renato Sanches and Paris Saint-Germain talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic were on United's radar anyway, but it seems that Mourinho has made it clear he wants both at Old Trafford. On top of that, the 53-year-old has eyes for Everton defender John Stones, a player he desperately tried to take to Chelsea last summer.

Arsenal knocked out of FA Cup as Watford reach semifinals

A potentially defining seven days in Arsene Wenger's Arsenal reign started with FA Cup defeat as Watford knocked out the holders 2-1 in their quarterfinal clash at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

With murmurs of discontent becoming full-blown cries of derision in recent weeks as Arsenal lurched from one insipid display to another, Wenger needed a result here -- and not only to continue in his quest to lift a third-successive FA Cup.

But it was not to be as second-half goals from Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura put the Hornets on course for a Wembley semifinal. Danny Welbeck's late goal gave hope to the hosts but he followed it up with an incredible miss which sealed a 2-1 defeat and spelt the end of a 37-month unbeaten run in the competition.

Arsenal must overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit when they travel to face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday and could be as many as 11 points off top spot in the Premier League before turning out at Everton next weekend.

Wenger knew how important this game was as he recalled both Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. He had voiced concerns over how his defence would handle Ighalo and Troy Deeney, and he was right to be fearful as both shone.

Arsenal were enjoying most of the ball without testing Hornets goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon and the hosts were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men before the half-hour mark as Gabriel appeared to go into a challenge two-footed on Deeney, only for referee Andre Marriner to wave play-on.

Odion Ighalo broke the deadlock for Watford at Arsenal.

Either side of the challenge, Watford had wasted the ball in good positions, Ighalo twice failing to pick a simple pass to strike partner Deeney on the edge of the Arsenal box.

While Ighalo was guilty of wasting possession at one end, Mohamed Elneny was profligate at the other, twice blazing an effort well wide of Pantilimon's goal when well placed.

Ozil had set up the second Elneny chance with a glorious piece of skill and another wonderful pass through to Joel Campbell set the Costa Rica international away, only for him to scoop his shot over the crossbar.

Ighalo may have been unable to square an easy pass to Deeney, but the Nigeria striker bagged his 16th of the season, holding off Gabriel and firing past David Ospina after Deeney had headed Nathan Ake's throw-in into his path.

Ake almost laid on a second for the striker, bursting forward through the Arsenal ranks before whipping in a low cross which Ighalo failed to connect with.

Watford soon took the game away from the holders as Deeney held off Per Mertesacker before teeing up Guedioura to flash a bullet of a shot past Ospina.

Wenger reacted by bringing on Theo Walcott, Alex Iwobi and Welbeck and the latter pulled a goal back having been played in by a superb Ozil back-heel -- but he then spurned the chance to level as he missed a near-open goal after Iwobi and Kieran Gibbs had come close.

Jermaine Jenas insists Tottenham star should be England first choice, not Arsenal man

The former Spurs midfield insists Danny Rose deserves to be Roy Hodgson's number one at left-back ahead of competition including Kieran Gibbs.

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has told Yahoo Sport that Spurs left-back Danny Rose deserves to be England's first choice in the position ahead of Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs and West Ham United star Aaron Cresswell in the injury absence of Luke Shaw.

Rose has been in superb form for the North London club this season, playing 22 times in all competitions and generally being preferred ahead of Ben Davies at White Hart Lane.

The uncapped 25-year-old said earlier this month that he was hopeful of forcing his way into Roy Hodgson's squad ahead of Euro 2016 after being called up for a squad meeting.

Other Premier League left-backs such as Gunners star Kieran Gibbs have impressed this campaign, but Jenas believes it should be the man from the other side of North London who gets the nod.

The former England man, who won 21 caps for his country, wrote in his Yahoo Sport column: "[Rose] is strong, quick, athletic, improving all the time and he's probably the best defender in the group. For me, the Tottenham man has been the best and most consistent English left-back in the league this season.

"He has been in England squads before without getting a cap, so Hodgson has had a look at him, but I feel that until now Roy has remained unconvinced. Sometimes a manager will feel a player doesn't tick all the boxes he wants ticked, and Roy has only really selected Rose when other players have been injured. But there is no way he can't be considering the Spurs man now."

"Whenever Kieran [Gibbs] has been called upon by Arsene Wenger he has done well, and one of the advantages for England is that he's used to being thrown in at the deep end in a big game and not being phased. In that sense he nails it as a second-choice player."

Roy Hodgson's preferred first choice in the role in recent times has been Luke Shaw, but the Manchester United man is unlikely to be able to prove his fitness after missing nearly the entirety of the season with a double leg fracture.

Rose played 29 times for the England Under-21s side, a total only beaten by four players, but is yet to be handed a senior debut for the Three Lions.

England face four warm-up matches before Euro 2016 kicks off, with friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands later this month followed by games against Turkey and Australia after the end of the domestic season in May.