Manager Arsene Wenger has said that seeing Kieran Gibbs leave Arsenal this summer actually hurt more than watching Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain move to Liverpool.
Former Academy graduate Gibbs left the Emirates this summer and headed to The Hawthorns and West Bromwich Albion and we reunite with him for the first time on Monday evening, but the Metro have Wenger saying that that you can’t compare the loss of the two players.
Gibbs of course came through the Academy whereas Oxlade-Chamberlain joined from Southampton in a big money move as a 17 year old before completing his £45million switch to Anfield last month.
Asked whether Gibbs going was like a family member leaving, Wenger explained.
‘Of course. And I believe that for players that leave it must be difficult to make that step as well. He did not ask to leave, it was a mutual decision. He wanted to play – he`s 27, or 28. You want to play at that age. It was a difficult decision but on the other hand when a guy has given you so many years you have to accept that if he is not sure to play.’
He went on to add.
‘Ideally you want stability and you want players who carry the values for the generations. 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.’
Wenger went on to explain.
‘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.’
