---
title: "Kieran Gibbs wants to inspire youth"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2015/07/15/kieran-gibbs-wants-to-inspire-youth/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Adam Hamdani"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2015-07-15T17:53:05Z"
modified: "2015-07-15T17:53:34Z"
---

# Kieran Gibbs wants to inspire youth

Arsenal full back Kieran Gibbs spoke at a Premier Skills festival in Singapore about the importance of roles that professional footballers hold, especially for young starlets up and coming in to the game.

Gibbs has been at the North London side since 2004, when he joined the youth team from Wimbledon and has since gone on to make close to 200 appearances by the age of 25; a fantastic feat which could have been bettered had injuries not halted the left backs career on a number of occasions.

The England international lost his place in the side last season, due to an injury before the consistent form of teammate Nacho Monreal kept him out of the side, and Gibbs believes that for a youngster coming in to the game, seeing your heroes up close and personal can have a huge effect on how you carry yourself for the rest of your career.

*“We had a few presentations when I used to play for Croydon Borough and a few Crystal Palace players came along.*

*“I remember Bruce Dyer, who was a striker for Palace, came and did a presentation once and that was huge.*

[![David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/133.jpg)](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/133.jpg)

*“To see any player that you know is playing in the Premier League or the Championship when you’re younger feels like a dream come true. You know how much it means to the kids and it’s great that they’re focusing on the coaches here.*

*“The game’s changing and you need to stay on top of that. Teaching the kids is important and getting them the right coaching is more important. It’s a great idea.*

*“It inspires youngsters because when you see players in the flesh – and we’re on the other side of the world to these people so it must mean ever more – it gives you a sense of reality. It will probably help motivate kids more.”*

Gibbs is currently in Singapore with the Arsenal squad reporting for pre-season training, with the club having defeated a select XI of Singapore players earlier today.