40. Kieran Gibbs

Kieran made his first team debut for the Gunners last season, as a left-back in the Carling Cup win over Sheffield United.

Kieran first shot to prominence in the FA Youth Cup run to the semi-final in 2007, grabbing a goal in both legs of the last four defeat to Manchester United. He usually operates in either central midfield or wide on the left, but impressed again at left-back in this pre-season’s Emirates Cup game against Juventus.

As well as playing in the Carling Cup, Kieran made 10 appearances for the Reserve Team last season, scoring twice. In January he joined Championship side Norwich City on loan, where he made seven appearances. He returned all the better for it, scoring on his return to Reserves duty.

Like team-mates James Dunne and Abu Ogogo, Kieran was at Wimbledon but joined Arsenal when their academy disbanded and became Milton Keynes Dons.

 

MY YEAR

May

Kieran missed the month’s first fixture against Portsmouth but returned to start all four of May’s remaining games. The youngster made a costly slip in Arsenal’s Champions League Semi-Final defeat against Manchester United but received words of support from a lot of his squad-mates. Kolo Toure said: “A mistake can happen to anybody, it can happen to the best players. I think he has been outstanding this season when he has come in and he has played great, great football for us.”

April

Gael Clichy’s back injury meant that April was something of a breakthrough month for Kieran. The youngster played 90 minutes in the last six fixtures of the month, including the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley on Saturday 18. On April 22, Under-18s manager Steve Bould paid tribute to Kieran’s progress. I think Kieran’s progression is an inspiration for each and every one of our kids to see the level that he has reached,” Bould told Arsenal.com. “It gives all of us at the Academy hope – staff included.”

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