With Arsene Wenger set to stay at Arsenal for another two years, the north London club will have a clear-out of players as they mount a challenge for the Premier League title next season.
One of the Arsenal players Rafa Benitez has been reported to be interested in is left-back Kieran Gibbs and he would bring experience to the back at Newcastle and likely become the starter at left-back if we can sign him.
The news is that West Brom have entered the race to sign the 10 times capped England International, with Brighton and Newcastle the other two PL clubs interested.
27 year-old Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs is simply not getting enough playing time at Arsenal as Spanish International Nacho Monreal has nailed down the left back spot at Arsenal for the last few seasons.
One of the things that concern us about Kieran is his injury record and he’s been affected by injuries over the last few years which have also hindered his goal to be the Arsenal number one left-back.
One of the many things Rafa has shown last season is he is quite expert in injuries and he magically had a first season of relatively few injuries to his players last season.
That’s a lot better than Newcastle have fared in the previous 10 years or more – when we were always top of the Premier League Injury table.
It will be interesting to see where we end up in the particular league by next May.
If Rafa is really interested in the player and it looks like he is – then he will have already weighed up his injuries and thinks they are not a big problem.
Kieran has just one year left on his contract so Rafa and Lee Charnley should be able to get a good deal on the left back.
He is the type of player who is hungry to prove himself and he would get a chance to do that on Tyneside.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
toontaff2
Jun 3, 2017 at 9:32 AM
Comment #1How many players have we been linked with, now?
And where is JIB?
toontaff2
Jun 3, 2017 at 9:33 AM
Comment #2Bet JIB is watching the Lions!
Losing 3-7 at half-time.
toontaff2
Jun 3, 2017 at 9:35 AM
Comment #3Not daring to slate Mitro, knowing the bugger’ll score against Wales again, next week, if I do!
Tammy Abraham would be decent back up and for so little, a no brainer!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 3, 2017 at 9:44 AM
Comment #4Tami Abraham going to speak to Brighton before making up his decision – bet he goes there as like a lot of players now divvn’t want to be far from London.
Sad state of affairs these days
getoutofworeclub
Jun 3, 2017 at 10:39 AM
Comment #5lot of people on here ain’t got a clue about mitro this kid will come good am a season ticket holder and to be fair the kid didn’t play many games he was used as a sub most to come good u need game time and he just didn’t get enough but the time he had he played well he’s hold up play was great alot of people don’t like him and think he is rubbish just wait till this season if he gets game time he will come good and just for the record Raf said he is not for sale this season and I reckon we won’t sell him he is here for the long hall mitro will come good
jimmysmith
Jun 3, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Comment #6Metro isn’t Costa good, but he is good. He lacks pace. It will probably stop him being really top notch. Still has plenty to offer though.
jimmysmith
Jun 3, 2017 at 10:41 AM
Comment #7Mitro.
WLtoon
Jun 3, 2017 at 10:53 AM
Comment #8We have been linked with that many players its becoming boring , the Abraham LOAN deal is even in doubt now. Maybe Brighton would be a better option for the young lad, closer to his family and all. Lets just wait and see who we end up with, but pre season training and friendlies start on July 3rd, and apparently Rafa wants all his targets in by then, if that is the case then he.s got 4 weeks to sort his recruitment.
giimps
Jun 3, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Comment #9Brighton also play more on the front foot than we seemed to last season, of course the stats dont back that media driven forced perception yet its still believed by most.
I agree he may well st darn souf but he will learn a hell of a lot more and progress more under Rafa, its whether he is a homebird or a career man.
Lukaku benefited immensly from moving north of the Watford gap i just hope he decides quickly so we can get our backup in before the team reassembles in July .
giimps
Jun 3, 2017 at 11:11 AM
Comment #10The question on Mitro is this, would he benefit from 10 years playing in some of the best leagues with the best players creating the best chances for him…..of course he would, Mitro is still learning and will benefit from better players creating things for him, he has the tools but the way weplayed last season did not suit him, he spent loads of tim up against 3 defenders in the opposition half with no support.
He spent loads of time on the bench but when he was given a little run he either scored or created something for a colleague, it didnt help that he was given a 4 match ban for a tackle that wouldnt have been a free kick in the championship vs Spurs in the last game of our prem campaign….he score 9 goals that season which would have been deemed relative success if we had stayed up …… the dilema that is Mitro……. should he stay or should he go……or is london calling
Lee Dodd
Jun 4, 2017 at 8:29 AM
Comment #11We need 2 new central defenders a new left back a quality central midfielder and 3 new strikers as the only 2 we have are Gayle and Pires. Mitro i am afraid is a nice lad but is not good enough … But we will have a cracking season ahead ..