Gibbs and Randall could get Sunderland chance
Arsenal youngsters Kieran Gibbs and Mark Randall could get their Premier League chance on Sunday when Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland. With third place already secure for the Gunners and Sunderland safe from relegation, both sides will have little to play for and Wenger may decide to use it as a stage to blood some more highly rated prospects. Last season, Wenger named five youngsters on the bench for the final day trip to Portsmouth and is keen to let them experience the matchday atmosphere. Speaking to Arsenal TV, he said
I could give one or two players an early breather because they go to Euro 2008 or the African qualifiers.
So Kieran Gibbs, who got on the bench last weekend, could be involved again, so could Mark Randall. But I am really not sure yet.
Gibbs and Randall have both only recently returned from loan spells and judging by these comments from Wenger, it seems as if they are both in his long term plans as he is showing a lot of faith in them. I wouldn’t be suprised if both of these players went on loan again next season.
Another possible candidate to feature against Sunderland is Jay Simpson, who marked his return from a loan spell at Millwall by scoring a hat-trick against Dorchester on Tuesday. Nacer Barazite has also been tipped for a first-team call up.
May 8, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Gibbs is really not all that - got slated at Norwich.
May 8, 2008 at 6:30 pm
the norwich fans were harsh on him, he is a decent player.
May 8, 2008 at 7:05 pm
No mention of Jay Simpson by Wenger. I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t even feature on the bench. I mean the guy can really do no more than he’s done to earn at least one chance. It does seem to me though that Wenger really picks favourites at quite an early age and pushes them forward ahead of others. Getting the chance is quite a lot to do with what Wenger sees in the player rather than through form or performances. Do you think that’s fair comment?
May 8, 2008 at 7:17 pm
yeah i agree about wenger, but i think simpson could be on the bench against sunderland as well as gibbs and randall
May 8, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Yeh,love to see Simpson on the right flank or ST.
May 9, 2008 at 12:49 am
Sometimes, it seems frustrating that Wenger picks favourites but when you think back, none of those that he has released have gone on to bigger things.