According to Mirror Football, Arsene Wenger could utilise Kieran Gibbs as emergency winger amid an injury crisis at Arsenal, whilst The Telegraph claim Serge Gnabry could be recalled from his West Bromwich Albion loan spell in January.
The Gunners are facing a real selection dilemma in midfield with Alexis Sanchez the only recognised winger with a clean bill of health, following injuries to Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey.
The trio, along with also sidelined winger-forward Danny Welbeck, will miss Arsenal’s next three games – important clashes with Swansea City, local rivals Tottenham Hotspur and European giants Bayern Munich – and Mirror Football claim Arsene Wenger is considering defender Kieran Gibbs as a potential solution.
The England international has lost his berth as Arsenal’s resident No.3 to Nacho Monreal but has already been brought on four times by Wenger to sure up the midfield this season, adding extra defensive protection on the left flank. It’s where Gibbs often featured as a youngster for the north London outfit’s academy team before being converted into a left-back.
Meanwhile, The Telegraph report Arsenal will hold talks with West Bromwich Albion in January regarding their plans for Serge Gnabry – potentially recalling him from a season-long loan six months early.
The 20 year-old impressed in a cameo capacity for the Gunners during the 2013/14 campaign but has managed just one twelve-minute substitute outing in the Premier League since arriving at the Hawthorns during the summer.
Earlier this month, Baggies boss Tony Pulis revealed his doubts over the Germany U21’s readiness for regular Premier League football.
As quoted by The Express, he told reporters; “Serge has come here to play games, but he just hasn’t been for me, at the moment, at that level to play the games. He’s come from academy football and not played much league football. Does academy football really prepare players for league football? And we’re talking about Premier League football here.”
Although Gnabry’s game time will likely be limited at Arsenal too, his return would provide added depth out wide for the second half of the season.