Following an under-par performance from Kieran Gibbs last night against Newcastle, Arsenal have once again been linked with a move Everton’s Leighton Baines this January.
The Daily Star suggest The Gunners are ready to bid up to £15 million for the England international, who still has two years left to run on his existing contract at the Merseyside club.
Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG have also been linked with a move for Baines in recent times.
But should Arsenal make a move for the in-demand Englishman?
Well, with only one reliable left-back in his squad (Gibbs), I believe Arsene Wenger should do all he can to acquire him this January.
Gibbs is moulding into a decent left-back for us, but the England international lacks defensive nous at times. This is not to say he is a poor player because I believe he can become a very, very good one for the club in years to come. He is only 23 and I believe he needs a seasoned head in the squad to look up to – lord knows Andre Santos isn’t the man for the job.
Should Gibbo suffer an injury then we are pretty much screwed as proven earlier in the season when he was out and Santos was in.
A left-back addition this January would be ideal as it’s an area that needs strengthening in my view – so why not got for Baines. It might be prove a little difficult due to other big teams interested in his services, but you’ll never know unless you try.
To part with £10-15 million for Baines would be a great piece of business by The Gunners.
Fingers crossed.
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
Indeed this will be a great signing 4 the gunners as we try to find a good replacement 4 Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy.
Yes and Gibbs can be on the bench (!) He is a good young footballer but NO defender. His positioning is a disaster. Plus he is very vulnerable in a one on one. Another of Wenger’s conversions to a different playing position (Arshavin, Denilson, Eboue, Vela etc.)
It a fact that Arsenal needs a defender (s). The defense is still leaky no matter how one is experienced. Obertan was a sting to Sagna yesterday. I do not whether it is individual players or the whole line. Even when they play, they just follow the ball without marking the potential threats. Deals involving at least a striker, a strong defensive midfielder and a strong defender will be a good new year welcome.
It is a fact that Arsenal needs a defender (s). The defense is still leaky no matter how one is experienced. Obertan was a sting to Sagna yesterday. I do not know whether it is individual players or the whole back line. Even when they play, they just follow the ball without marking the potential threats. Deals involving at least a striker, a strong defensive midfielder and a strong defender will be a good new year welcome.
We are Absolutely in need of an experienced left back as although Gibbs is going to be a potential England player he still has a lot to learn positionally.. Baines would be perfect!!
The problems lies with all our players due to their inability to mark opponent without commiting foul. Only arteta and mertesaker knows how to mark among all the players. Kocielny, vermaelen always commited fouls when the strikers back them. Cazorla and podolski are also the same as well.
Cazorla is not there to mark and tackle nor is Podolski Wilshere and Arteta should be left to concentrate on what they are good at which is prompting attacks and making and firing the bullets.With such players the key is to recover the ball higher up the pitch hence the need for a Diaby type player.On an aside, it’s been reported on sky sports this lunchtime that Chelsea are paying Demba Ba’s escape clause so forward reinforcments will have to be located elsewhere.Personally,I feel there are enough goals in this team as it is especially if we can free Arteta from his current role in the first eleven.
Gibbs is an absolute novice and crap.He didnt quickly correct error for the 2nd goal then repeats the same mistake for the 2nd goal tells you he will never learn.Arsenal are stuck in mediocrity with these type of players who are too cosy under Wenger.Was Gibbs given a ticking off-I dont beleive so.What if a United player made the same mistake twice in one match-SAF would would have him benched.Thats the difference between title winners and the current Arsenal.
Sad but true. But then Gibbs was a winger till Wenger converted him to full back …. and it shows. That’s also why Wenger bought Santos. He believes in his attacking football principles … with wing backs – not genuine defenders.
I think moving Vermaelen to left back or Koschielny might be a good idea.
However the attacking play is what you will miss with Gibbs, he links up with Podolski well.
Last year from mid Dec to Feb demonstrated that you should not play centre halves at full back.Points were chucked away at Fulham city and Swansea and at home against wolves and man u.Djourou still hasnt recovered from being played out of position.We have been told that money is available so why attempt to put square pegs in round holes
pls we need a new lb and rb i will like wenger to bid for glen johnson and baines to make the back line stronger.sagna is really poor going forward with poor crosses and he cant drift into the field like johnson and walker so i will like to see Johnson move to arsenal