Is ‘Psycho’ asking too much of Arsenal’s talent?

Last year, despite some high profile disappointments in the semi-finals of the FA cup and the Champions league, the biggest revelation for me was the emergence of Kieran Gibbs. This soft spoken teenager from south London was thrust into the limelight and forced to sink or swim following the injury of our first choice left back Gael Clichy.

I sometimes feel it’s very unfair as most sensationalists in the media and football establishment frequently choose to highlight his trip that led to Man United’s first goal in the 2nd leg of the Champions league semi-final. However, an honest and level headed assessment will conclude that Gibbs embraced and took on the responsibility he was given and performed admirably.

Not surprisingly, much more is expected of this young man, both for club and country. I’ve always felt that if he can get a solid run in the Arsenal team, then he will be well placed to claim a seat on England’s charter flight to South Africa next summer purely on merit. He already has his opportunity as the capable understudy to Gael who is out injured and his efforts are not going unnoticed by Fabio Capello and Stuart Pearce.

This far, all of Gibbs’s international outings have been for the England under 21 side, but this weekend the under 21’s coach ’Psycho’, decided that he wants Gibbs to play as a central midfielder. Gibbs did this against Portugal this past Saturday and ’Psycho wants more of Gibbs in this position when they play Lithuania tomorrow as he feels that the young lad can excel as a defensive midfielder.

One thing that jumps out following this scenario is how ridiculously talented the Arsenal squad is. Not only is Gibbs a formidable left back in his age category who is capable of holding his own in the Arsenal first team, he is clearly seen as a possible answer to England’s under 21 problems in the centre of the park.

While it would be more useful to employ Gibbs as left back since this is the preferred position that Arsene Wenger wants him in, his surprise inclusion in the centre of the park makes you wonder whether it will be good experience for him to bring back to his club position out left. Gibbs has played in midfield before and his attacking prowess is as encouraging as his defensive work.

So long as his outings with the England under 21 team builds on and develops his experience, I think Arsenal will benefit greatly. I can’t help but think though – What a talented and versatile squad Arsenal has, and I’ll be most definitely routing for Kieran to grab his seat on that charter flight down south.

A thought does jump out though – could Gibbs be a candidate to fill in for Alex Song when the Cameroonian briefly leaves us in January for Africa cup of nations duty? Not an obvious choice you would think, But more bizarre things have happened.