Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 10 October 2010 14:05

Jack Wilshere isn't the only top quality British talent to squeeze his way into the spotlight. Wilshere may be the more pleasing on the eye but the quality of young Kieran Gibbs cannot be underestimated. The left back who had his 21st birthday last month has already started in three of Arsenal's games so far this season, he also has 45 minutes under his belt for the England seniors, a 45 minutes of composed quality.

Injuries have stopped Gibbs getting more minutes under his belt at Arsenal this season but a bigger obstacle is currently standing in his path.

Gael Clichy was picked up from the lower divisions of French football at only 18 years of age for less than half a million, clearly the scouts had seen enough quality in the unknown left back to make the move to take him to Highbury. He developed and learnt his trade in the reserves and soon became the understudy to Ashley Cole. Cole made his move to Chelsea after coming close to swerving off the road in 2006. Clichy was promoted into the first team as a starter for the first time in his Arsenal career, but he had to be patient as he continued to sit out through injury. Clichy had missed the Champions League final with a re-occurrence of his fractured foot that kept him out for a large chunk of the season.

William Gallas had come to the club in part exchange with Cole and filled in for Clichy at left back, funnily enough part of the reason why he left Chelsea in the first place. Clichy returned to the side in October 14th 2006 where he had a very shaky start, trying to adjust to the speed of the game and gaining his full sharpness. He soon got the games under his belt and produced top quality performances.

He was voted as the best left back in the league a year later. An award that was fully deserved. His energetic dynamic displays stood out and he was often the outlet on the left, bursting past Tomas Rosicky.

Gael Clichy has struggled to recapture that form in recent years, injuries have not helped him. He was thrown in at the deep end last season, clearly not match fit but had to play in a run of very difficult games including Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa. He was exposed and we lost vital points in those games.

He found his best form towards the end of the season, including being Arsenal's best player against Barcelona at the Camp Nou when he went head to head with Daniel Alves.

You can pen a line down the middle of Clichy's game and pick out his positives and negatives quite easily. You would struggle to find a player in world football better at intercepting passes. There are not many better sights when watching Arsenal than an opposition player playing a ball to the feet of a team mate at the half way line and when you think the player is about to take a touch and turn, out springs Clichy to flick the ball away from his foot and then sprint off at electric pace bringing the Arsenal fans to their feet in anticipation.

Gael Clichy is a tireless worker, he must have one of the best beep test scores in the squad. In the 90th minute you often find Clichy still bombing forward on the overlap when others are trying to catch their breath.

It is Clichy's defensive awareness at times that can let him down. He can spend 85 minutes winning the ball and clearing away every bit of danger before he lets a player make a run off him without picking him up or playing a man onside.

The other side of Clichy's game which can be very frustrating is his final ball. With so many central ball players we have in our squad, Clichy often finds himself with plenty of space and time on the left wing but quite often his crosses do not come close to finding a player in the penalty box. With so much possession in the final third, Clichy really needs to improve that side of his game as Sagna appears to be doing on the other side.

Kieran Gibbs is a converted left winger who has also played in central midfield for England u21 level as well as reserve team level so his final ball is of a better standard. Gibbs also possesses a better shot and will undoubtedly find the back of the net more times than his senior team mate who has only scored once so far for Arsenal.

Gibbs also has a two inch height advantage of Clichy, standing at 5ft11 he appears to be stronger in airel duels. Like Clichy, Gibbs has very good commitment and is full of running.

At present Gibbs plays it a little more safe than Clichy in the final third, and doesn't get into the same attacking areas as Clichy and when he does he often checks back and plays it to a team mate instead of using his crossing ability. Gibbs is also not as dynamic as Clichy and we lose some of our pressing game from wide areas.

I believe that it is only a matter of time before Kieran Gibbs displaces Clichy in the starting eleven. He is probably further down the line than Clichy and perhaps even Ashley Cole at just turned 21 years old. Some of his attributes will benefit the team massively and his weaker areas are bound to only improve but as things stand, I still have faith in Gael Clichy.

If the team are working from the front and every member of the attacking team are doing their bit then I think Clichy's game is important to us. We have yet to witness Gibbs play a run of very important games and come through with flying colours. Coming in against Bolton at home is different from being in a title race at the business end of the season.

Luckily for both, with so many games and competitions both players will get their chance to shine. May the best man win.

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Comments (26)

• 10-Oct-2010 15:12 | | David  - Clichy vs Gibbs
  

  Clichy is a dreadful player. He makes too many mistakes and all opposition attacks come down his side. He has no concentration, can't look across the line, can't cross and his positional play is just awful. He's not good enough for Arsenal and should be sold this summer. Gibbs on the other hand is composed and a good defender with an excellent cross. I'm yet to see Clichy come through a run of important games with flying colours. Did you not see him for France last night, misplaced 19 passes. Yes, 19! He's so erratic, the sooner he leaves the better. I'll personally drive him to Gatwick airport if some mugs from abroad want him.

• 10-Oct-2010 15:13 | | DJ dragonfly
  

  At present, I feel Gibbs should be starting at left-back ahead of Clichy.
  
  I feel from a defensive point of view, Clichy has a quicker recovery than Gibbs, but overall, Gibbs is the better defender. Since his slip against Man United in the Champions League semi-finals in 2009, Gibbs's all round game has gone up another level. His final ball has always been good but they carry a much better threat this time round and he has improved on his positional sense in defensive areas.
  
  IMO, Clichy's form has been up and down since the end of the 2007/08 season. He's had a few injuries since then, which has affected his form, but he tends to get beaten far too easily by the opposition attacker and his final ball in the attacking third is of a very poor standard.
  
  Since Gibbs's emergance, I would've thought Clichy would've used the opportunity to improve his game. But sadly he has repressed since his best season to date, which was in the 2006/07 season.

• 10-Oct-2010 15:19 | | Bala  - bl.mrgn1@gmail.com
  

  I m really confused because I like them both very much.No left back in the world has the energy he possess and the speed he has.On the other hand as you said Gibbs doesn't have the same energy levels as Clichy but he is a far better defender than Clichy at the moment is.But I witnessed some very good improvements from Clichy in the chelsea game and long it may continue

• 10-Oct-2010 15:20 | | Bala
  

  Just witnessed LA reporting Clichy misplassed 19 passes for the french yesterday,so here we go again

• 10-Oct-2010 15:56 | | A Gooner among others
  

  I watched France-Romania yesterday and Clichy was awful, really.
  I like him very much but he has got to raise his game. If not, I think Gibbs will be first choice by the end of the year.

• 10-Oct-2010 16:50 | | Aziz, KL-Malaysia  - Get 30M for Clichy
  

  Gibbs is ahead of Clichy since he has much more awareness of defensive necessities. We have enough players taking care of attack. looking at recent games we lost, we lot them against counter-attacks and defnsive players not at their position. one of them was often Clichy.
  On top of that, losing the ball and giving it away is a serious handicap, one "outstanding" feature of Clichy.
  I would prefer Gibbs anytime.

• 10-Oct-2010 17:09 | | SeesawArsenal  - Gibbsy hands down!
  

  

• 10-Oct-2010 17:31 | | luis zelaya
  

  clichy has had enough time, i think. he has to deliver.
  i don't like talking about this, but if we are completely honest, cole is still much better than him. when clichy is good, he's great. there are games in which he is unstoppable, like against barcelona, you can actually see the intent in his eyes, the intensity. but he lacks the consistency to play at that level or to have that kind of focus in most games, he is always fast and energetic, but mostly erratic, both defensively and offensively. i don't think he should be a sub, i'd rather see him sold and bring traore back, whom i think is also quite good and probably makes the best crosses in our club.

• 10-Oct-2010 17:40 | | Arsenal Norway  - Gibbs
  

  I think Gibbs is in much better form than clichy. I used to think clichy was one of the better left backs in the world, but he is not what he once was, and I cant understand why!! Gibbs has to start from now on!!

• 10-Oct-2010 18:19 | | Jose Reyes
  

  i think we can safley say gibbs should start as clichy is mr panic. birmingham 2 2 gave away the pk 2008 cost us the title. villareal 0 0 gave away another pk luckily jens was on hand nearly cost us a place in the final 2006. tottenham 4 4 slipped and lennon scored the spuds 3rd goal cost us that win 2008

• 10-Oct-2010 18:23 | | Jose Reyes
  

  spot on david

• 10-Oct-2010 18:54 | | Melvin - gooner4ever  - Gibbs
  

  There's no doubt that Gibbs should be number 1 left back. Gael is a true gooner and will run himself into the ground for us but he has two massive faults which he should have cleared up if he wants to be truely world class.
  
  1. Concentration - time after time he loses concentration and we always concede a goal due to it. Gibbs has already shown he is far more solid at left back.
  
  2. Final Ball - awful from clichy, can't shoot and can't cross. Gibbs, great cross and not bad at shooting if you saw his goal in the friendly at legia warsaw.
  
  Gibbs, Wilshere, Lansbury, Ramsey and Frimpong to provide the british back bone to bring the title back home (if we get a good goalie!)

• 10-Oct-2010 19:21 | | MeanLean
  

  You all have to remember that Gibbs has been used sparingly thus far. When he has a stretch of games against tough opponents then judging him against Clichy will be easier.
  
  Gibbs is a fantastic talent who has all the tools to be the best in the country. However I am banking on Clichy to return to his super charged best.

• 10-Oct-2010 19:27 | | Sergio Giorgini  - Gibbs for the moment
  

  Clichy has regressed unfortunately. I hate to say it as he clearly bleeds red and white, (and then yellow and blue for away games,) but he isn't the dependable player he once was. Whether this is due to the injuries he's had to contend with, having to spend the last few seasons playing for a defence that was porous and seriously disorganised at times, the fact that he hasn't had a decent cover from the midfield for a good while or just the plain and simple fact that he excelled himself in the past, I don't know. At the same time, for a relatively young player, his only absent games have been due to injury. Hardly a real rest and relaxtion period. Look at Walcott for an example for what some proper recuperation can actually do for your game.
  
  Easy solution for this though. Use Gibbs. He needs the games and Clichy is a decent back up for the minute Kieran looks like he may waiver. If all Gael needs is timeout or even a proper boot up the bracket, he gets that and if worse comes to worse we have fully blooded Gibbs in the dark arts of the Premiership and we make a profit selling on a great if not infallible left back. It isn't a position we struggle for numbers in either. I actually worry a lot more about the right back issue. Sagna is someone I would consider world class (but also prone to his fair share of mistakes,) and Eboue an adequate back up, but I fail to see the player-in-waiting challenging for the position the season after this.

• 10-Oct-2010 22:59 | | Am  - Gibbs v Clichy
  

  I actually believe that they are just as good as each other, but Gibbs is still improving.
  
  I have to Tottally disagree about Gibbs being less dynamic than Clichy.
  
  Gibbs has a better shot on him. He bombs forward just like Clichy and is probably a slightly better defender. he is also a good asset with freekicks as he has the ability to bend the ball and still get it on target.
  
  Clichy's main assest is his ability to intercept the ball and break quickly, once he does this he doesnt always know what to do. This is shown by his one Goal in his whole career. (against Stoke which took 2 deflections on its way in)

• 10-Oct-2010 23:01 | | MeanLean
  

  Are you sure it was Stoke? Could have sworn it was Boro

• 11-Oct-2010 06:11 | | Joey
  

  To me Gibbs looks injury prone.
  Or has it been a case of badluck???

• 11-Oct-2010 08:16 | | Metaarsenal
  

  I was a big Clichy fan, and favored him over Cesc for Captain when Blubbing Willy went walk about, but watching him for France the other night I was starkly reminded of the good and the all to often bad in his game. The hooking the ball over the shoulder straight to an offensive player rather than touch, the long mazy runs past two three players followed by woeful shooting. The misdirected pass to an opposition player as he gambles 20 plus yards beyond the space that is his territory.
  It is this kind of play, rather than set piece weakness, that has undone us as often this and last season. He just needs to try and make less happen and make the left flank in the defence his priority, til then, Gibbs is going to be on my starting line up of preference just because we havn't found his achilles yet.

• 11-Oct-2010 08:43 | | Jimmy Stuart  - J7
  

  It's natural progression for the team. Cole to Clichy, Clichy to Gibbs. Kieron's hungrier and sharper, and with a little experience, he'll soon be a better all-round full back than Clichy.

• 11-Oct-2010 09:52 | | Lele(le)
  

  To be it's got to the point where the answer to this question should be self-evident.
  
  Clichy makes numerous defensive mistakes per game, and contributes nothing - NOTHING - in the final third. Gibbs has proven himself infinitely superior already. And not just in the unquantifiable 'potential' category, but in terms of tangible end product.
  
  After 228 games for the club, Gael has supplied ONE goal - which came compliment of two deflections - and, far more pathetically, EIGHT assists. That's a disgraceful conversion rate, utterly pathetic. I actually detest Clichy's attacking even more now than I did Kolo Toure's, and that's saying something given the latters propensity for just mindlessly hoofing the ball forward, to the detriment of 'Arsenal football'. I've gone beyond pre-emptively groaning before Clichy delivers a cross or - heaven forbid - a shot, and I find myself just shouting at the screen. He invariably loses possession whenever he attempts either of these options, but he seems oblivious to it, and just looks gormlessly on.
  
  Comparative stats for Gibbs are a much more respectable four assists from 33 appearances - surely a roughly average conversion rate for a full back.
  
  Gibbsy also has far greater goalscoring ability, as proven for the reserves, various England youth teams, and pre-season this year. His technical ability means he has greater variety to his passing, so he also serves to facilitate our all-round game.
  
  The difference between their defensive games is so negligible now I can't see how a serious case can be made for Clichy continuing to remain in the team, particularly since Gibbs is so obviously superior in attack.

• 11-Oct-2010 10:02 | | Lele(le)
  

  It's a further indictment of Clichy that the far more conservative Sagna is a much more effective offensive weapon than he is.
  
  Sagna has - and I quote the always trustworthy wikipedia here - 14 assists from his 139 Arsenal games.
  
  Gael seems a nice guy (I hate having to prefix everything negative I say with that, but anyway), but honestly I hope Madrid pick him up in the summer for some ridiculous fee. I'm not sure Mourinho is that stupid though...
  
  If Clichy does go, he'll still walk away a legend though imo. Every trophy winner earns that privilege.

• 11-Oct-2010 10:32 | | Manav  - Decision time for the boss
  

  Clichy put up an improved performance against Chelsea but if he continues to make mistakes every now then, I guess Wenger will eventually bring on Gibbs to replace him. Gibbs brings with himself better defending, crossing, awareness & shooting. Don't think the boss can't make 'that' decision. He's done it before (remember Lehmann-Almunia? and lately Toure-Gallas?).

• 11-Oct-2010 15:38 | | UCHE
  

  it will suicidal picking Gibbs over clichy for important games. we shouldn't be carried away by mere sentiments of Gibbs being english. am sure we all know how much more experienced clichy is over gibbs. gibbs is certainly a good player but he should wait for his time. for now, the best we have in that wing is clichy. gibbs can act as backup but that space belongs to clichy for now.

• 12-Oct-2010 15:21 | | 8 inch knob  - What I have noted so far
  

  Our best team.
  
  
  ..............................................Mannone................. ................................
  ...................................................................... ...........................................
  .....................................Koschielny....Vermaelen.......... ......................
  ...................................................................... ...........................................
  ....................................................Song.............. ......................................
  ....................Sagna....................Diaby.................... ..Gibbs..................
  .................................................Fabregas............. .................................
  ...................................................................... ...........................................
  .........................................Walcott........JET........... .................................
  .....................................................VanP............. .....................................
  
  
  JET needs to be unleased on the left by Wenger, he will be a monster! With Van P dropping deep to link up play, the speed and penetration of Walcott and JET will be unstoppable.
  
  It is stupid to dump Rosicky or Nasri or even Wilshere there.
  
  Squilacci is a mistake, a stupid buy when we should have really got someone to compete with Vermaelen.
  
  
  
  Sell Almunia
  Sell Fabianski
  Sell Clichy
  Sell Fabregas
  
  Buy Steklenberg
  Buy Sakho
  Buy Vertonghen
  Buy Micah Richards

• 12-Oct-2010 17:25 | | Geocross  - improve defensively
  

  At the moment we need to be stronger defensively, so right now Gibbs is the best option.

• 06-Dec-2010 22:45 | | areyouslow?  - wdf is wrong with you?
  

  yes sell are keepers not clichy sell cesc get snider maby? but i dont even no those people in your name apart from steklenberg and richards, arsenal for life and wdf mannone? or whatever? schenzy is better than him and wdf is jet?

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