Kieran Gibbs

Kieran James Ricardo Gibbs (born 26 September 1989) is an England professional association footballer, who currently plays for Arsenal F.C. as a Defender (association football) Left back. Kieran Gibbs attended Riddlesdown High School in Purley, London, South London.

Club career

Gibbs began Kieran Gibbs career at the Wimbledon F.C. academy but moved to Arsenal F.C. when the Wimbledon Academy disbanded in 2004. Kieran Gibbs played in the centre midfield position and also on the left wing. Kieran Gibbs has featured regularly for Arsenal's U18 and reserves teams and also played in pre-season friendlies against Barnet F.C. and F.C. Internazionale Milano. In September 2007, Gibbs signed a professional contract with Arsenal, and was named in the club's 2007–08 in English football UEFA Champions League squad and given squad number 34.

Kieran Gibbs made Kieran Gibbs first-team debut for the club when Kieran Gibbs started a Football League Cup match against Sheffield United F.C. on 31 October 2007, and made Kieran Gibbs second appearance coming on as a substitute for Eduardo da Silva in Arsenal's quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers F.C. on 18 December 2007.

On 31 January 2008, Kieran Gibbs agreed to go on loan to Norwich City F.C. until the end of the 2007–08 season. Kieran Gibbs returned to Arsenal a match early on 29 April 2008 and retook Kieran Gibbs place in the Arsenal reserve squad. Kieran Gibbs went on to make the substitutes bench for Arsenal's first team match against Everton F.C. on 4 May 2008 but did not play.

Kieran Gibbs featured in Arsenal pre-season games for the 2008–09 season, mostly as a left-back, and was an unused substitute in Arsenal's 1–0 Premier League loss to Fulham F.C. on 24 August 2008, and a 3–1 victory over Bolton Wanderers F.C. on September. Gibbs continued to play in Arsenal's League Cup campaign and played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's 6–0 win over Sheffield United in the third round, on 23 September 2008. Kieran Gibbs also played in the 3–0 win over Wigan Athletic F.C. as well as starting in the defeat to Burnley F.C. at the quarter final stage. Kieran Gibbs made UEFA Champions League debut on 10 December 2008, against FC Porto in Portugal, replacing Abou Diaby.

Gibbs made Kieran Gibbs Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. on 8 February 2009, coming on as a substitute for the injured Gaël Clichy.

With Clichy injured, Gibbs made Kieran Gibbs first Champions League start for Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg against Villarreal CF on 15 April 2009, which Arsenal won 3–0. Gibbs started a FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea F.C. and set up Theo Walcott's goal. Kieran Gibbs was also involved when Arsenal F.C. drew with Liverpool F.C. on 21 April at Anfield, where Kieran Gibbs cleared the ball off the line.

After an extended run in the first team in Clichy's absence, Gibbs made an appearance in the Champions League semi-final first leg away at Manchester United F.C., although Arsenal lost 1–0. However, in the second leg, Gibbs made a costly slip when attempting to defend a cross and allowed Park Ji-Sung to score a crucial away goal for United after only seven minutes.

International career

Kieran Gibbs was part of England national under-19 football team squad that was knocked out in the group stages of 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship but qualifed for 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt as a result finishing third in their group.

Gibbs was called up for the England Under-21 squad along with Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott for up-coming 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in Sweden. Kieran Gibbs scored two goals in England Under 21's 7–0 friendly victory over Azerbaijan national under-21 football team at stadium:mk on 8 June 2009. Kieran Gibbs then performed impressively in the first two matches of the tournament leading to a possible call-up to the full England team before the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Arsenal career statistics

Honours

Arsenal

International

Individual