Kieran Gibbs profile
Name
Kieran Gibbs
Born
September 26, 1989
Lambeth, London
Position
Defender
Squad Number
28
Previous Club(s)
Norwich City (loan)
Wimbledon
Joined Arsenal
September 10, 2007
May
Kieran made a vital contribution after coming off the bench against West Brom, denying Billy Jones with a last-ditch challenge in injury time. The young left back started the 3-3 draw against Norwich. "The boss has always says, 'you have to be ready when you come off the bench' and Gibbsy made probably made the most important tackle of his career so far," said team-mate Theo Walcott.
April
Kieran featured three times over the course of the month, helping Arsenal keep clean sheets against Manchester City and Chelsea. "We have to finish the season strongly," he said. "The way we see it is that if we win our games then we secure our position in third. We shouldn't lose focus now."
March
Kieran went from strength to strength after fully recovering from injury to play a key part in Arsenal's excellent seven-match winning streak in the league. He grabbed his first Premier League strike in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa and featured in every one of Arsenal's six matches over the month. "He slowly became himself again and you see that most of the time for a full back with the initiative it takes going forward," said Arsene Wenger. "Defensively in the challenges he is stronger. I still feel there is more to come from him and from game to game there are improvements there. He was transformed into a full back but the natural [ability] always comes out. It is good because we have a game that is based on that."
February
Kieran returned from a four-month lay-off in the Champions League defeat at AC Milan. The young left back also started in the 5-2 win over Tottenham at Emirates Stadium. “At one point we had so many players out, and it just hurt to see the team effectively cut in half,” he said. “It was so frustrating, and when you can’t help the team you almost blame yourself in some ways. You wonder why it’s happening, and just want to get back as soon as possible.”
January
Kieran continued his recovery from a groin injury before returning to full training at the end of the month.
December
Kieran recovered from a stomach injury but picked up a groin problem which ruled him out of a speedy return to action.
November
Kieran did not feature as he recovered from a stomach injury. The England international underwent surgery on a hernia.
October
Kieran missed the majority of the month's action with a stomach injury. He started in matches against both Tottenham and Sunderland, helping the Gunners to victory in the latter.
September
Kieran proved a tough man to displace in the first team and Arsenal were unbeaten when he played in September. It was a milestone month for the young left back as he grabbed his first goal for the Club in the Carling Cup 3-1 win over Shrewsbury. “In pre-season I scored a few and then when the season comes I always come close and never score,” he said. “But my luck has changed."
August
Kieran started the first game of the season at Newcastle but was withdrawn from the win against Udinese with a hamstring injury and missed the rest of the month.
