Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that the departure of Kieran Gibbs this summer ‘hurt’ him more than losing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool.
Speaking ahead of the Gunner’s visit from West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, Wenger discussed (via Sky Sports) his feelings towards Gibbs’ transfer exit, as the left-back prepares to line up against his old side at the Emirates.
Overall it’s true that with Gibbs [it hurt] more than Chamberlain because he had been educated at Arsenal from the age of 10.
When he arrived he was a left-winger. I transformed him into a full-back because he was not necessarily rated as a guy who would make it as a left winger but I saw something in him that was very intelligent, with pace, that made me feel he could make it as a left-back
Gibbs joined Arsenal’s youth setup from Wimbledon in 2004 and first broke into the first team in 2007, making his debut against Sheffield United in the League Cup in the October of that year.
He went on to make 230 appearances for the Gunners before opting to move to West Brom after Arsenal signed powerful left-back Sead Kolasinac from Schalke this summer.
Wenger continued:
[Academy players] carry the values that you think are important, which are based on mental qualities, humility, respect and commitment, and as well football qualities which means you always try to play in a positive way. Plus real team play and focusing on a collective way
Gibbs has played twice this season since moving to the Hawthorns and is in line to start against Arsenal on Monday night, with the game kicking off at 8pm.
