3. Increased competition
Kieran Gibbs has been fighting for a place in the Arsenal side from as early as 2008, when an opportunity arose thanks to an injury suffered by then Gunner Gael Clichy.
His own aforementioned struggles to maintain peak fitness meant the question of who would be Arsenal’s first choice left back was never fully resolved, but when France star Clichy was sold to Manchester City, Gibbs was given the chance to prove his worth once and for all.
Yet more injury troubles resulted in Arsenal signing another left back, the Brazilian Andre Santos, in August 2011, but it was more one of necessity, and when fit Gibbs had little trouble retaining his place.
However, with Santos proving a tragicomedy of a signing, and Gibbs’ still plagued by muscle strains, Nacho Monreal was bought from Malaga CF on the final day of the January 2013 transfer window.
Despite the arrival of the Spain player to Emirates Stadium though, Gibbs has made the Arsenal left back spot his own, with his newfound ability to avoid injury a huge factor in that.
Regardless, the battle with international defenders for France, Brazil and Spain has been a major factor in his improvement – as has the motivational aspect of regaining his England place – and the fact that he has overcome each obstacle has been highly impressive.
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