Wenger: Gibbs canbe as good as Cole

Champions League Group D

Manager Arsene Wenger is convinced Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs has what it takes to follow Ashley Cole and become a mainstay for club and country. Gibbs has shaken off recent injury setbacks and is now a solid member of the Gunners defence.

Following the international retirement of Cole, after not being selected for the World Cup by Roy Hodgson, Everton’s Leighton Baines and, if fully fit, Manchester United teenager Luke Shaw look set to be the preferred options for the European Championship campaign, which continues next week against San Marino and then Estonia.