Picture from: Norwich official site
A lot has been made of Kieran Gibbs’s omission from the Norwich squad that beat Cardiff 2-1 at the weekend. The left-winger, who played for England u-19s on Tuesday, was reportedly pushing for a start but was then left out of the squad. Unless he picked up a small knock on international duty, I see no reason why he shouldn’t be named as a sub at least. He joined Norwich on transfer deadline day in a loan move until April, with Arsenal having an option to call him back if needed. He was presented with his new Norwich shirt and got an approval for the move from Arsene Wenger. He even signed autographs for Canaries fans alongside Chelsea loanee Ryan Bertrand. It seemed as if he would be featuring often and that it would aid his development, but at the moment he is still waiting for his Norwich debut. Look at Mark Randall for Burnley, he’s not in the starting XI, but he still gets a run out towards the end of games. At the moment, Gibbs is probably best off at Norwich, as the only time he’d be featuring for us would be in the Reserves and occasionally the u-18s. There’s no doubt that he is a highly skilled player, but if he’s not going to play at Norwich, then what’s the point of him being there? He could have been sent to another club where he would be playing regularly. It’s only two games in though, and Norwich have another game against Hull tomorrow, so maybe he could feature in that. A run in the Norwich side would certainly do him good, just look at Nicklas Bendtner.
The only other bit of news today concerns Juventus’ young winger Raffaele Palladino. It’s probably only media gossip, but we could do with a winger so he could be a decent addition.
Posted by matt on February 11, 2008 at 3:30 pm
i read a report linking us with a swap deal involving gilberto and palladino… wouldnt be surprised if that happened… with sum cash going juve’s way…
Posted by Goonerbeall on February 11, 2008 at 3:37 pm
What is your gripe mate? If they pay the fee which they dont exploit that is their problem. Every loan cost a fee and its up to the payer to use his loan as he pleases. I’m glad he is not playing with those tough -tackling toughies in the championship.
Posted by jeorge9 on February 11, 2008 at 3:41 pm
but what’s the point in him being there if he’s not going to play games. he’d be better off at arsenal or even somewhere like burnley
Posted by Dan on February 11, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I would imagine he will get his fair share of games but people must remember that Norwich are on a great run at the moment so it wouldn’t be fair to the existing players to change the team.
Posted by Paul on February 11, 2008 at 4:38 pm
City fan here, we are playing well at the moment and Roeder probably does not want to change a winning team. I’m sure if injuries, knocks or loss of form kick in Gibbs will get a chance. I wouldnt be surprised to see him make the bench tomorrow night.
If he is good enough then he will stay in the side and maybe we can extend the loan.
Posted by Will on February 11, 2008 at 4:43 pm
With 7 loanees in the squad he can only name 5 on the teamsheet so two are always not going to feature and Arsene must have known that. With players like Huckerby only just making the bench and a team beaten once in 15 league games is it surprising that he isn’t changing a winning formula. Arsenal wouldn’t
Posted by Tom Blazak on February 11, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Hey guys, Norwich fan here – Just to point out we are 12games unbeaten so our players are playing too well to be dropped and we have seven players on loan, of which we can only have 5 in a matchday 16.
3 of those have been with us for a month or more and have been in the starting lineup since they arrived (Ched Evans since Oct, Mo Camara since Oct, Ryan Bertrand since start of Jan) and our Right back has been carrying an achilles injury so we have had to have Matt Bates, on loan from Middlesboro, at least in the squad, as he can play RB.
I am very excited to have Gibbs with us, and I think he will definitely be in the squad this week, either tomorrow against Hull or Saturday against Leicester.
Good luck with the Premiership title by the way, I’m rooting for you as I hate Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea!!! Really hope you win it, and i think you will.
Hope this has cleared up the Gibbs Issue a little.
All the best, Tom
Posted by Essex_Canary on February 11, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Problem is that we currently have 7 players on loan and can only have 5 in any match squad. Given that Evans is a cert and Bertrand and Camara have made the left side their own that only leaves two spaces. On saturday at Caaaaaaardiff our RB was rested meaning another loanee (Bates) played there so only room on the bench for one loanee and with Hucks amongst the subs there was no way that Roeder was gonna be able to include another winger in Gibbs as well.
See your point and i’m sure in a perfect world he’d get games but as much as his development is important to you, winning is more important to us. He’ll get his chance, Roeder wouldn’t have let Lappin go out on loan if he wasnt going to use the players brought in, but he’ll have to wait a little bit and earn his place in the team. Just cos he’s an Arsenal player doesnt mean he has the divine right to appear in our XI, especially not when we’re on the back of being unbeaten in 12.
Posted by danf on February 11, 2008 at 11:32 pm
we have 6 other players on loan as well as gibbs and league rules states you can only have 5 in your squad of 16 on a matchday. but gibbs will play his fair share of games dont worry. roeder has been very impressed with him and knows how to get the best out of young players. all the best. dan.
Posted by MLS on February 12, 2008 at 12:34 am
Norwich City currently have seven players on loan and are only allowed to name five in a squad of sixteen, so at least two have to miss out each time.
Don’t worry though – Roeder has already shown he’s more than willing to use these youngsters… just look at the goal Ched Evans (Man City teenager) got on Saturday! And Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea teenager) has played in every game since he joined.
Gibbs will get his chance, possibly Tuesday night, and if he does well he’ll quickly become a local hero!
OTBC. MLS
Posted by johnjo on February 12, 2008 at 7:44 am
i heard something about ricardo quesma going to arsenal
Posted by GranCanary on February 12, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Ok, I’m a canary fan and will settle this…ok, first he will play, for sure. Roeder and Wenger have a close relationship and they will have a gentleman’s agreement saying gibbs will play. Roeder is big on youth development (hence wenger trying to lure him into your youth setup in pre-season), and is desperate to play all of the 6 youngsters we have on loan…but he obviously can’t. You can only have 5 loans in the squad, so obviously 2 of the entire 7 (inc. old boy Mo) can’t play each match day, which will inevitably hinder playing time. Everyone at Norwich wants to see Gibbs…a highly rated young player from a top club, who wouldn’t?! Anyway, my point is a certain 18-yr old Mr. Bertrand (although naturally a left back) from Chelsea is spanking the left wing and any right sided def’s that come his way. At the moment our team is unbeaten in 12 and (without any disrespect) it is a little arrogant to think we should play someone to aid Arsenal’s future…Considering where we were 3 months ago, I don’t blame him for not changing a thing. But like I say, he will get his chances and if he takes them, he will play week in week out.
Posted by Norwich man on February 12, 2008 at 2:35 pm
we have 7 loanees currently 2 must therefore miss out.
GIbbs is behind bertrand for the same position (Left wing) so doesn’t play. I would bet he will soon.
Posted by Chris on February 12, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Well, you got your wish as he’s starting tonight
Posted by GranCanary on February 12, 2008 at 9:14 pm
seems like all the norwich fans have the same response queued up!
Posted by Slick on February 13, 2008 at 5:21 am
Gotta love folks who don’t read the comments before typing the same thing! Those are sincere fans who keep close tabs on their team. Speaks volumes for English football.
As a gooner, I agree with Delia’s boys — what divine right does Gibbs have to start? A loan is a gamble. Make the loanee’s earn the right to play. He’ll get his chance. If it’s only once every two weeks that’s more than anyone plays for the reserves. A loan is much more about the receiving team than it is about Arsenal. Show some respect please.