Arsenal have rejected an approach from London rivals West Ham to take left-back Kieran Gibbs on loan for the 2016-17 season, according to The London Evening Standard.
The England international has seen regular first-team football as something of a commodity in recent times, with Arsene Wenger preferring Spaniard Nacho Monreal to the homegrown star at left-back.
West Ham are desperate for cover in the full-back positon after a pre-season injury to Aaron Cresswell and are believed to want to sign someone on loan until the former Ipswich defender is fit enough to return to Slaven Bilic’s side.
Gibbs will surely be frustrated at not starting week-in, week-out for Arsenal and has even been deployed in a winger’s role by Wenger on occasion over the last 12 months.
However, despite the potential for the Englishman to spend most of the next season on the sidelines, the Gunners want to keep him at the Emirates Stadium and have told the Hammers that Gibbs is not available.
