Kieran Gibbs will just have taken his seat in the Arsenal dressing room as I write this article, with the Gunners currently trailing Manchester United in the Champions League Semi-Final second leg 2-0 on the night, and 3-0 on aggregate.
The evening began with the real feel that something special could happen. Indeed, Gibbs himself was the epitome of the way Wenger’s men began – he hustled and harried Ronaldo into giving him the ball, before starting an early attack. It was typical of the attitude that had endeared Kieran to the fans over the past few games.
Yet on 8 minutes, a rare attack caught the hosts cold, and attempting to cut out Ronaldo’s fizzed cross, Gibbs lost his balance and slipped. The ball ran kindly to Ji-Sung Park who was arriving behind the young left back, and despite attempts to adjust his body, the South Korean clipped home the opener.
Kieran instantly threw his head into his hands and had tears in his eyes. He knew, like most Arsenal fans, that was probably the final nail in the coffin. Robin van Persie comforted the prospect, but he still looked out of sorts in the first period.
He’ll be feeling truly awful at the moment, and its likely some fans will be on his back, but at such a tender age and with so little experience, Kieran should be very proud indeed of his achievements to be playing on such an occasion. Head up Gibbsy.
Article By – J.Sanderson
Come on Gibbs,you were unlucky.Things like that could happen to anyone.Get your head up and make us proud.
Arsenal_4_Ever
spot on.
and now he has been subbed.
Lets hope he plays again this season, it is best to learn from your mistakes.
iTS NOT HIS FAULT, ITS WENGERS.
we slip a lot nowadays
Hopefully he will come back better stronger and more determined
Gibbs was superb, he performed to the best of his ability but at the end of the day, he should never have been in the situation that we had to call on him in the biggest game of the season. Its just one of the mistakes that go in football.
Oh and my mate hates man united
if you play for arsenal you need to be quality…doesn’t matter what age..so that is no excuse ..but yes it human to err
He didn’t slip he panicked. Still, not his fault. I blame Wenger for playing kids instead of men and I’m fucking fed up with it now.
I remember Gibbs slipping in the first game. Needs to sort his boots out. Unlucky though son.
Great piece JS. He was superb for the first 8 minutes. It’s been a great run by him, and although Clichy might be back to take his seat back, Gibbs can be very proud of his performance for Arsenal this season. Three clearances off the line, couple of assists and all over much more dangerous going forward than Clichy usually is. He will get through this and return as a better person. The only question is why Eboue came on, he did nothing really. Gibbs must have asked for it or something because subbing Eboue on is never a good decision.
I just hope he reads this ..
Head up Gibbs
I just hope he reads this ..
Head up Gibbs
Eboue did nothing and subbing him on is never a good decismo…. Your taking the mick yeah, eboue is class and is just being used as a idiot to blame for our teams failings to win anything unreal that such a top player is slated so bad.
too bad Arsenal lost,but Gibbs should be strong although he made a mistake,but we cant blame him for that because i know he is strong to deal with that,he has talent and potential.what worries me most is Arsenal always say we will come back stronger next season only to come out with nothing
Unlucky gibbsy hope he comes back stronger.
Hopefully he’ll chalk it down to experience and come back better and stronger. We’re not that far away from success. All we need is a CB, a rock-solid DM and a top drawer striker… (all have to be World Class, none of this “one for the future” business) and we’ll be rocking. Besides ManUtd are going bankrupt so the future looks bright!
I’m not so bummed out about the score (surprisingly :S) but more about Gibbs!!! The boy really didn’t deserve this :.( I feel REALLY sad for him!! I hope he comes out of it better coz he’s greatly gifted!!
Nice Article Jamie. – He Played Well Dispite His Slip, He Should Be Veryy Proud Of Himself As Real Arsenal Fans Will Be Proud Of Him Too. – To Be In A Semi-Final Of Such A Big Cup At Thee Age Of 19 Is Truly Amazing. He’ll Come Back Fighting Even Stronger. He Done Us Proud Tonight. Nice One Kieran Gibbs Kepp It Up.
Arsenal Football Club. <3
i realy felt for gibbs tonight and he has nothing to be ashamed of he’s been fantastic for us, i’m sure all the proper Arsenal fans wont be on he’s back for that unlucky error it could of happend to anyone its just bad luck,all us gooners should be proud of the lads performances since he came in for the injured clichy, he has done us proud and remember he is only 19.
gibbs was really unset and more than likely wanted to come off thats why he was subbed and as for the eboue bashing theres no need anyone who knows anything about football can see that eboue is a top player i know he has done some silly things in the past but he is still quality and plays the attacking role very well, what i really like about him is that he always gives his all.
All we need is a CB, a rock-solid DM and a top drawer striker
—————————————————————
That sounds like quite a way off being a top class team to me. We have been brushed aside easily by Man Utd. and Chelsea. I do agree that we don’t need the arrival of any more ‘one for the future’ arrivals this summer. We need some experience in the key positions along the spine of the team and some physical presence. I think this summer’s summer transfer activity will be the litmus test of Arsene and Arsenal’s ambition.
These three players i would like to see are :
Brede haangeland-tall centre half whos composed maybe lacks pace.
Mathieu Bodmer- experience DM tall 6ft3 strong very good passer of the ball.
Edin dzeko- Hes a goal scorer and at 23 is at the right age. Adebayor definitelky off to milan in the summer hope we can get him. I really rate bendtner as well i just hope he can cement his place and hope he plays against chelsea he could be arsenal number one striker next season
Heads up Gibbs, you have done us proud and can’t wait to see you play again.
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Gibbs will overcome this. You can’t really fault the lad for slipping. For how long has he been playing left back? 10-15 first team games? Maximum.
Let’s all support him throughout the remainder of the season.
He slipped when it mattered most like John Terry did in the final last year during the penalty shoot out, it happens and i am sure he feels like s**t but he will get over it because even if it did not happen Manchester United were to goo for us tonight and we still would have lost the game because we were not at the races as they say IMO.
Gibbs is a fckin legend, chin up son! you have been super filling in for clichy, whos a hard act to follow! it could have been anyone!
Does anyone think that this could spell the end of the golden age where youth prospects are fast tracked early? I think it’s going to be an awful lot tougher for youngsters to come through now. Wenger must surely realise that experience and quality are where it’s at.
Look i am an arsenal fan i still believe in wenger but i cant believe some gooners want him sacked. Its an absolute disgrace. Wenger just needs 1 or 2 experienced players
I hope Kieran reads this – you have not let us down in any game you have played for us this season, your performances have been mature, consistent & impressive. You will learn from this experience & do us proud in the future. Anyone can slip up, even Tony Adams used to on a regular basis. Hope you play on Sunday, we’ll give you a good reception.
j i hope fabragas see ya link for pizza offers m8 so can throw them at that scott twat fergie lol
I really doubt fans will get on his back, surely only the most idiotic will. I hope he plays on sunday and gets a great reception
Hard at the moment. This experience with the right evaluations and balanced reactions may just as well give him added mental strength for years to come. He has impressed in big games before and will in future
Why are Arsenal playing an inexperienced 19 year old with under 10 first team games as left back in a Champions League semi-final.
1.He was at fault for O’Sheas goal at in the first leg
2.He was in the wrong position last night and then fatally attempted to move his feet and slipped on an almost perfect pitch. No one else slipped so he is to blame.
Wenger realised this and subbed him at half time. 5 years no trophy losing 3 semi finals shows Wenger needs to fix up quick or leave.
Arsenal are broke for the next 5 to 10 years due to the new stadium paying off 300 million pounds hence players like Eboue Bendnter Denilson and Song getting a look in. Wenger has his hands tied plus he is in love with young inexperienced yes boss players he is scared of dealing with established players who will insist on winning.
i’m sick with all of this mistakes and problem…i think we need another 3 or 4 years 1st cup arrive in emirates stadium…
hey boo its doom and gloom again from people morning saying he should go or we should buy him! has any 1 4got we got to 2 semi finals and un beaten in like 20 league games plus prior to last nite gone 5years wiv out losein a home game in champions leauge!!
cnapier—thats a load of crap, it wasn’t Gibbs’ fault, all he needs is a new pair of boots. He’s done brilliant as cover for one of the worlds best left backs and was superb against Liverpool and in the first leg.
As for signings, I think a centre back is a definite for the summer, with Toure or Gallas likely to leave. Remember Toure handed in a transfer request in January, so without any tropihes I think he might do it again, however i’d prefer Gallas to leave. The replacement is the issue, but it could be Hangeland of Fulham or Senderos coming back.
I reckon a new goalie wouldnt be a bad idea, Fabiankski hasn’t really been great when he’s filled in so a back-up to Almunia could be a good idea, dont know who, probably go with Yoann Pele of Lille.
As for midfield, I think a majority of fans want Eboue to go, and after rejecting a £7m bid from Atletico in January, Ithink he’s gone. The oother midfield casualty could be Denilson who has been below par all season, Diaby is more equipped to play in CM than Denilson and should of all season. I know wvveryone thinks we need a DM and that person could be Lorik Cana of Marseille, I would also love to see Alonso come in from Liverpool, but i think thats a long shot.
Bendtner has to go end of, he’s been awful, and as others have said, I think Adebayor may leave, depite his comments on the AFC website. If not maybe RVP, as he wants trophies and we dont have them. Vela will get a prominent role, and Simpson will do what Bendtner did when returning from Birminhgham last year, however we need a clincal finisher,so David Villa fits that, although it probably won’t happen, next choice is Edin Dzeko of Wolfsburg, highly rated Bosnian who does what we need.
As for “ones for the future” there are strong links with us going for Jamie Edge of Cheltenham, Eden Hazard of Lille and Danijel Aleksic of Vovjvodina. I know for a fact Aleksic and Hazard are good, and at 18 could break in to the team unlike Edge at only 15.
That’s my summary :)
P.S: Traore will leave and Gibbs will become 2nd choice left back.
GIBBSY!!! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!!
I was @ the match, he looked really down when he was walking off the pitch so i think it was the right decision to sub him however i want him to start on Sunday. Its how u bounce back from adversity that determines the character. We still luv u gibbsy, heads up.
Watching the match from here in the States, I couldn’t have more empathy for Gibbs. I’ve made those same mistakes playing and I’m not sure there’s a worse feeling as an athlete to know that you’ve given up a goal. It didn’t look to me like there was anything he could really do. And what’s worse is it appeared that his attempt to recover and cut out the cross only served to settle the ball for Park. Truly a shame.
Here’s hoping Arsenal can keep their top players this summer and maybe bring in a couple to bring home a trophy or two next year.
poor gibbs he is potentially a great player i feel that it was just a slip and arsenal shuld ave stopped ronaldo b4 he crossed the ball in… Also i jus wanna say dat adebayor needs to leave he is pathetic and if he leaves for 30 million i think i would b ratha happy and we shuld sign dzeko frm wolfsburg or bojan frm barcelona as he is not getting many games
we need to sign a holding central midfielder such as yaya toure who we could have signed on a free transfer a couple of years back.
Completely agree JS. I’ve dodged the net most of the day, coz I didn’t want my head melted. Came on here to read the Reserves report and thought I’d have a read of this.
But all this bullshit about him being too young and inexperienced and it being Wengers fault is absolute tripe.
Fabregas was 19 playing in his first Champs League final. Clichy wouldn’t have been much older. IF YOUR GOOD ENOUGH YOUR OLD ENOUGH. Gibbs has played brilliantly since he came in, and one mistake is not gonna change that.
I hope he comes back twice the player after this.
Slightly swaying from the point, why do they insist on DRENCHING the pitch before a match??? I seen Liam Brady being interviewed on Irish TV minutes before kick off and the place was like a water park. It couldn’t have helped Gibbs last night.
SNED77- Your chatting bollocks if it wasnt his fault then whose was it, Bartons Diuof Eboues.
1.who was out of position for OSheas goal ? Gibbs
2.Are you telling me a pro footballer started the game with the wrong choice of boots ? He tried to adjust from his wrong position and then slipped. Fact Wenger is to blame for playing an inexperienced 19 year old playing less than 10 games in a new position. Comparisons with Cesc are useless as he played in his preferred position.
I’m pretty sure no Arsenal fan blames him, so it’s just a typical generalization and wild guessing.
Was it an error or an accident? You described it as an accident but claimed it was an error.
He’s not been blamed by any fan. Arsenal fans are reasonable and saw what happened. He will come back stronger.
The errors were the second and third goals. The second by Almunia due to wrong positioning. The third by Eboue who failed to recover, a normal defensive weakness with him.
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hope he comes back stronger & shows that he is not only a good footballer but has a strong character too.
J, do you know whether arsenal fans has any song for gibbs? hope gooner crowd will sing his name load on sunday & give the young lad some support.
Gibbs really play with his full energy and abilities but efforts may not work all the time.
SNED77-‘it wasn’t Gibbs’ fault, all he needs is a new pair of boots’ yeah and all you need is a brain. Please dont chat nonsense is this Arsenal or Enfield town, KG isnt ready to play in this type of game- period and Wenger agreed by replacing him at 1/2 time.
Gibbs is our only other left back, i would have been more comfortbale playing him than an out of positoin eboue. he has had some brilliant performances and just got unlucky.