When Kerrea Gilbert was loaned to League One side Leicester City last month, many believed the once promising full-back had all but ended his chances of ever breaking into the Arsenal team.
Gilbert shone when granted the opportunity during the final season at Highbury, featuring on a handful of occasions and making the now infamous assist for Thierry Henry against Wigan. But loan spells at both Cardiff City and Southend brought little productivity, and several fall outs with the respective managers saw Kerrea’s reputation diminish.
He returned to North London in January and with the incidents behind him, showed he had taken some things on board, looking now considerably stronger and much more experienced. He completed the campaign in the Reserves and Arsène Wenger even called upon his services for the Premiership clash against Blackburn – abet it from the bench.
Neil Banfield left the door open for Gilbert saying they still valued the Hammersmith born starlet, and the club would be keen to loan him out again. Working with a fantastic young manager in Nigel Pearson has rejuvenated Kerrea, who seems now to have matured and put his mistakes behind him.
His abilities and performances has seen him wrestle James Chambers for the right-back slot, and over pre-season won the battle, with Chambers being sold.
Most followers have frequently admitted that aside from the attitude, Kerrea is a better player than Justin Hoyte, and with Hoyte on Teeside to wrap up his transfer to Middlesbrough, there is a growing feeling of a way back for Gilbert.
The ball is firmly now in his court, but if he keeps on track, Kerrea looks set to give Wenger a headache next summer.
Article By – J.Sanderson
it would be good to have him back as long as he has sorted his attitude problems because he did seem a promising player, j do you know how well he has performed in pre season?
There”s no doubt in my mind that Gilbert is a better player than Hoyte
no chance
He’s loaned to Leicester City for all the season or only some months??
If Hoyte leaves, who will replace him as a right back? (Eboué is a right midfielder according to Wenger). Gavin Hoyte?
Thank u for your responses Jamie :p
hmmm.. I doubt it
http://theworldsmostbeautifulgame.wordpress.com
elliot – Judging by the amount he has played with Chambers already there he has clearly impressed.
He is there all season, but could be recalled if the option is there. But i was thinking more long-term.
Well if we sell Hoyte we need good back up for Sagna this season and i dont know who thats going to be. We will definitely need another RB next summer and wether Gilbert is the answer i dont know. He will be put threw his paces in pre season like Jay Simpson and AW will take it from there. Chances are we’ll have a new RB come in to challenge Bac!
Loz, the article said…looks set to give Wenger a headache next summer…
This is a great blog and doesn’t need any negative comments just for the sake of it. If you’re going to post, make it something that fellow gooners want to read, no just to be an arsehole man
Good job deleting that comment, JS. There are some serious morons out there. Keep up the good work with the blog btw.
I think J Hoyte will allow Nordveit to move up in the pecking order.
Eboue is cover for Sagna.
Thank you Al, nobody respects opinions when they make stupid insults.
Nordtveit moving to right back would be a poor move, because i dont think he has the pace to cover the position.
any news on that irish player we signed from galway united joseph mcartuhur?
Is nordviet tall-hes 6ft 1 enough and strong enough to play CB, maybe we can turn him into a DM holding midfielder
hopefully gilbert doesnt come back as he’s horrible iv never really rated him as a player good enough for arsenal.
john – He turned down the move because he didn’t want to leave Ireland at such a young age.
I must say that picture of Kerrea is deceiving, i remember him being a slight lad, but he looks like a beast above!.
Im not sure what all those attitude problems were with his loan clubs, but i remember Wenger making a remark along the lines that Arsenal dont just loan out there youngsters to not be used and that what was happening with him, they just liked having kerrea in the squad but never played him
PAUL RODGERS IS THE ANSWER !!
Could Hoyte Sale Open The Door For Gilbert Return? NO.
Awful player. I know Steve Tilson (Southend Manager) personally and he didn’t rate him at all. I put a lot of money on him never playing for the first team again.
I agree with Frank B
Reason for Hoyte’s sale could be any of the following:
1. He wasnt consistent enough to play for us
2. Walcott has matured enough defensively to play Mid against top teams thus eboue drops back to RB/ youngsters could be developed on the wings ala Merida
3. Gilbert options but he must improve his attitude
4. Promotion of Paul rodgers full time to fullback afterall it seems he has made Gibbs 2nd choice Lb who was also part of the youth cup team that reached the semis.
My only problem with point 2 is that by Eboue @ RM is another person with decent height for defending set pieces, an area where Walcott is still very weak, he wins zero balls in the air however being resilient 50-50 high balls will come as he grows older.
Get out of it seagy.
I think Paul Rodgers is a better player than Hoyte as he is quick and from what I have seen from him in the reserves, no one gets past him. Furthermore, Djourou can play right back also so I do not see that position as being problematic, the left back position is more of a problem for cover.
J, as Thomas has been sold by Charlton do you think Jay Simpson would be a good option, I think Simpson would do well there and he would gain more experience.
Kerrea Gilbert seemed very promising when he first made his debut, I don’t know about now though. Hoyte is too average to be good backup for Sagna, it would be nice if Gilbert does well and comes back to challenge for a first team place.
A promising player who’s attitude outgrew his worth.
Perhaps he’s changed.
Who the F*ck are LOZ, put your words where the sun dont shine, and if u are indeed an arsenal supporter, may i suggest to you that you should go down the road and support lillywhites. Moron
” I am a moron who clearly knows fk all about football” Loz said this on August 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Fair enough.
Frankly Gilbert’s not good enough and Hoyte hasn’t even left yet so let’s stop assuming he has.
hoyte is on his way wenger said hes at boro finishing the transfer and that may be the only transfer before the WBA match
All of us at AM think you write bollocks Sanderson
Sanderson, a friend of mine has some contacts inside the club and he claims that Arsenal is currently scouting in Brazil for a 2nd player for Salamanca. He even claimed that there is a shortlist already. could you tell me if there’s any truth in this and if so, can you give me any names? Btw, great site
Why anyone should think Gilbert has a future at Arsenal I don’t know.
“All of us at AM think you write bollocks Sanderson” Loz said this on August 15, 2008 at 5:14 pm
LOL now I know you are on a wind up. AM hahahah!!!
It would be sad to see Hoyte leave. He is such a loyal player to the club.