Arsenal full back looking to move to the next level

Arsenal's Keiran Gibbs celebrates with his team-mate Mikel Arteta (left) after his cross is put into the net for an own goal by Southampton's Jos Hooiveld (not in picture). Photo credit: Sean Dempsey/PA wire

Sunday, September 30, 2012
12:04 AM

Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs is desperate for his fitness will hold this season he looks to take his game to another level.

The 23-year-old has been through the wars these past few campaigns, twice suffering a broken metatarsal and then last year needing hernia surgery which sidelined him for the best part of two months.

However, the England international has so far managed to keep clear of any major injury worries for an extended run in the first team ahead of Brazil full-back Andre Santos.

Gibbs said: “I feel my performances have been positive. I’ve kept fit which has been important for me - especially over the last couple of years where I struggled.

“I always said if I can get a good run of games under my belt, I can always get stronger and hopefully be more consistent - which is what I am doing at the minute.”

Gibbs, though, will take no risks with his preparations during a demanding schedule, which continues in the Champions League next week with the visit of Greek side Olympiacos.

“I have still got a lot of rehab to be doing from my hernias and from injuries last season. The physios have been really good and pretty much been on top of me from day one,” he said.

“They check me every day - how I am feeling and how I am recovering.

“When you play every three days, if you haven’t played for a while it can take you a while to recover in between games, so I have to keep on top of that and make sure that I know not to push myself too much in between games - that will increase my risk of injury.

“So far it’s going well and they have done a really good job with me.”