2. Experience
Despite his well documented difficulties with injury, Kieran Gibbs is a wonderful athlete.
The Englishman possesses both lightning pace and immense stamina, meaning that he can race up and down the left flank for ninety minutes or more.
In an Arsenal team often accused of being too narrow, with a midfield full of playmakers all too keen to cut inside and play through teams, Gibbs provides a constant outlet out wide to stretch play and opposition defences.
A goal and three assists already from just eleven appearances so far this campaign, Gibbs has certainly improved in attack.
That athleticism comes in handy too in defence though, with his pace allowing him to catch up and retrieve the ball from breaking opponents.
Gibbs has also gained from his experience, and whilst Manchester City star Gael Clichy – a former Arsenal player, of course – is still guilty of errors such as the recent poor positioning against Bayern Munich that played Thomas Muller onside, it is a very long time since Kieran Gibbs could be accused of making a mistake that cost his side a goal.
Despite all the cliched criticism of Arsenal’s defence, it was the second most miserly last season, with only Manchester City conceding fewer goals.
Kieran Gibbs has been a major reason for that, alongside Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna in the Gunners back four, with former Liverpool centre back Jamie Carragher extolling their virtues.
“As a defensive unit they’ve really come on and they are the unsung heroes really,” said the Sky Sports pundit.
“I’ve been particularly impressed with Kieran Gibbs. He’s had a lot of injury problems over the last two years and that’s stunted his progress.
“It’s about time he really pushed on and cemented his place at Arsenal.”
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