Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger made a bet that paid off when he gave Kieran Gibbs a rare start during their clash with Ludogrets in the Champions League.
Gibbs had been restricted to domestic games and late game minutes in the past few months but Wenger could not risk Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi due to their fitness concerns. Monreal has been the constant in the equation.
In the past two seasons, he has been the go-to person. However, in the game against Swansea Modou Barrow tormented him, but he has been rather decent since he became a regular.
Monreal has two years left on his deal with the club, yet extension talks are not in the pipeline. It seems the 27-year old might become part of Arsenal’s past in the near future. For Gibbs, he took advantage of the opportunity to prove his defensive capabilities. He put up a real contest with Brazilian player Wanderson as the Bulgarian side tried getting on the score sheet.
The full back would definitely face tougher teams that Ludogrets but he proved he could be an effective option in games. He definitely proved a point in the game, leaving Wenger to possibly rethink not considering him in game plans aside domestic matches.
Oxlade-Chamberlain didn’t impress as much on the night. He is in the same situation with Monreal as his contract drags to the lapse period. He provided the assist for Alexis Sanchez though. Gibbs provided him with cross than he converted and he ran to him to acknowledge his assistance. Before the European contest, Oxlade-Chamberlain acknowledged that it wasn’t enough to play well, that he needed to do more. This was probably why Wenger left him and Gibbs on the pitch, preferring to rest Theo Walcott, Santi Carzorla and Alexis Sanchez. The 6-0 victory sent Arsenal to the top of Group A.