We look more stable with a back four playing in their natural positions but I've been worried by how often Gibbs is caught out of position! The goals against Spurs, Liverpool goal, Newcastle goal are came from his positional errors but he was also very lucky against Milan as they got in behind him on numerous occasions. Santos made a return to the reserves last night and his performance levels were getting better and better just before his injury in December. Doubt Wenger will change a winning team but IMO I think Santos needs to be first choice
Gibbs has really impressed me in the last few games. I never used to rate him at all. However currently I would still go with Santos, he was starting to look excellent before he picked up his injury.
If anything, it feels damn good to have a dilemma about who to play at LB, considering where we were a couple months ago.
I have never really rated Gibbs too highly before - always thought he was capable but always been under the impression his injuries will get in the way too much. However over the last few games he has played really well and imo shown how good of a player he can really be. I am very pleased we have him for the future. It has to be said though that Santos before his injury was improving massively. Defensively he is good and attacking he adds a real other dimention to our play. I love his brazilian style on the ball!
gibbs is coming off the back of yet another run of injuries and likely to get hurt again soon, my doubt on him is his lack of pace, which may come with a run of games, something he has never be fit enough to do for us. Position wise i think he holds position ok its just he's been done for pace more often then not and that for me is bad for us, unless he gets his pace with match fitness, track record says he will be injured sooner rather then later so santos getting fit ...(i hope he has not put any more weight on mind) is more then handy as no doubt we will need him gibbs is one of the myriad of "next year" men wenger and all of us talk about, he may be fit next year or may be good next year, truth is he is an inexperienced young left back with 21 league starts in the last 4 seasons ... that does not build champions it builds inconsistency.
Gibbs is an upgrade on TV at left back, but I think Santos is an upgrade on Gibbs for now. I actually like Santos a lot. I think if he and Sagna had stayed fit we might have done some damage this year.
When fully fit we have quality all over the pitch. We just need a bit more depth. Santos is quality imo - i have been very impressed with him since he first signed. He got in shape and semed to be adapting very well to the league. I think his style and attacking mind will help us alot. He is an experienced player and this shows with the way he defends.
Gibbs all day long, i don't think it's a coincidence that since he has returned our performances have improved, it is very true that he still has a lot to learn in terms of positioning etc, but he is definately going to improve in that department over the summer and we have definately looked more solid with him back in the team, and his pace has helped to sweep up and block out dangerous attacks. Santos can't even finish a full 90 minute match and when defending in one-on-one situations he is just awful, gibbs has also offered us another dimension when attacking as he used to be a left winger and with his pace we are a much more dangerous team, for me there is no debate, now heres just hoping that he stays fit.
Erm, what are you talking about cjul? Gibbs returned to fill in for CB's who where playing at LB - ofcourse he should eb an improvement on our back-line. He was not stepping in for Santos. When Santos was playing and had started to adapt to the league he was very good. Defensively he was alot, lot better than people where giving him credit for. And going forward he is excellent.
Gibbs = Cant defend. Cant attack. Always gets injured. Santos = Cant defend. Good in attack. Not sure about injuries. Thus I would play Santos. Gibbs has done ok recently but he was poor on the goal vs newcaslte. Cant let HBA come in on his left there what we the fool thinking
I think Gibbs has actually been very good in this latest string of games he has played. He is impressing me alot. He will be a great player. For now though i'd take Santos as the starter with Gibbs still getting a good amount of game time. Santos actualy is very good in the tackle.
Gibbs is the best crosser of the ball in the team bar none I think if he can avoid injury he WILL be the best LB in England.
too early to tell. I hoped Gibbs would get enough playing time to properly replace Clichy (and Cashley !!). In the meantime Santos looked a possibility, but looked podgy, and also needs playing time.
I'd rather than three Vermaelens and a Sagna, but Gibbs needs more games before we know how good he can get. Santos was always poor defensively, but better in attack. He was out of position more than Gibbs ever is. Both of them need to improve that part of their game. Clichy was worse though in his final season.
