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‘Fierce competition raises our level'

Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs

Kieran Gibbs says Arsenal’s defenders have benefited from fierce competition for places.

Arsène Wenger’s side have kept 10 clean sheets so far in 2015, and have not conceded more than one goal in a match since the end of February.

Gibbs is impressed with that record and has offered his explanation as to why the team have been so frugal.

“Fewer injuries basically,” he told the matchday programme. “Competition is much higher and that has raised the level.

Matchday Programme

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“Sometimes in the past we have struggled to put a team out, now we could put two teams out. Everyone has been fit and that pushes each other on. That's been the difference.”

The 25-year-old says regaining his international place has been a particular positive this season.

"Breaking through to the England side again was definitely a highlight,” he added. "I was involved heavily for club and country in the first four or five months of the season.

"I haven’t played as much during the second half of the season so really I can only talk about the first half, and that went well for me."