Arsenal could use defender to ease winger crisis

Arsenal could use left-back Kieran Gibbs as an emergency option on the flanks to ease the Gunners growing injury crisis.

Arsene Wenger’s side lost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott in the opening 20 minutes of Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, with the duo joining Aaron Ramsey on the sidelines until mid-November.

That’s left Arsenal with only the uninspiring Joel Campbell as the senior option for the right-side position, whilst Alex Iwobi could also be used but only made his senior debut in the League Cup defeat.

Therefore, Arsenal could move Kieran Gibbs into a winger position for the next few weeks to ease the concerns, according to The Mirror.

Gibbs has been used in a more advance position before ahead of first-choice left-back Nacho Monreal, most recently against Bayern Munich, but the English full-back is usually brought on in the latter stages of a match when Arsenal are looking to grind-out a result.

Should Wenger use Gibbs as a winger, then Alexis Sanchez would swap to the right-side of midfield which would make a strong flank, in front of Hector Bellerin, but it could halt his fantastic form in recent weeks.

The most likely option is Campbell, with Gibbs continuing to be used as a substitute when required. However the fact this possibility has even been raised show’s the issues Arsenal currently have.