With left back Gael Clichy ruled out until after the new year with a stress fracture in his back, Arsenal Head Coach Arsene Wenger has given England Under-21 International Kieran Gibbs a boost of confidence after using Ashley Cole as an example of the potential the young left back possesses.

Via DailyMail

Clichy’s injury means Kieran Gibbs will be handed an extended run in the side, starting against against AZ Alkmaar tonight, and Wenger feels the extra action could see the 20-year-old full-back stake a claim for a place in Fabio Capello’s England squad.

‘Capello and England will be happy,’ said Wenger. ‘They want him to play. I spoke with Stuart Pearce when he was with the Under 21s and they were always very happy with him. I have no doubt about the quality of Gibbs.’

Comparing Gibbs’ career progression to that of England’s current first choice left-back Ashley Cole, Wenger added: ‘Both of them were first offensive players and were transformed into left backs. Both adapted quickly and were thrown into big games very quickly so there are similarities there. I think Gibbs has good potential and he has a good role model in Clichy.’

Despite his obvious faith in Gibbs’ talent, Wenger conceded he would have preferred to feed him in gradually.

He said: ‘Clichy is a blow because it exposes Gibbs every three days in a period where he would have played occasionally. You rotate a little bit more when you move into November. Clichy will be out for one or two months and that is too much.’

Image via TheSoccerBlog