Gibbs limped off with an ankle injury after a 12st minute tackle forced him out of the U21 Euro match against Lithuania. He is to undergo an X ray as a precautionary measure and more information on the extent of his injury will be available later this week.
With Gael Clichy out for a month with a back injury, the left back position was a lock for Gibbs. With his potential layoff, the depth chart plummets. Wenger’s mood will not definitely be improved by this news. He has already got into with Stuart Pearce on his use of Theo Walcott in the U21’s and this will not engender any further warm feelings between the two.
A few options available.
There is Armando Traore, who is also just returning from a groin injury after missing the Carling Cup fixture against Liverpool. He is back in training. Traore has been almost exclusively used in the Carling Cup matches and his last appearance was this September against West Brom where he logged 69 minutes. He saw extensive Premiership match experience with Portsmouth where he was on loan last season.
If Traore is not fit the other option is to reposition Thomas Vermaelen at left (his old position at Ajax), bring in Senderos to partner Gallas, with Bacary Sagna at his usual right back position. Hopefully, if Gibbs is to be out, it will be just for the Sunderland match. Anything to avoid Silvestre.
Abou Diaby also sustained a calf injury which will also keep him out of the Ireland match tomorrow. There is no other news on his injury and how long he is expected to be out.
These international fixtures have turned out to be a disaster for Arsenal. We also have Gallas, Sagna, and Arshavin to play their WC playoffs tomorrow. Lets hope they keep healthy.