Kieran Gibbs happy to chip in after rescuing point for Arsenal against Tottenham

Kieran Gibbs celebrates after scoring Arsenal's equaliser against Tottenham

IT MAY have been only his second Premier League goal in 116 appearances, but Kieran Gibbs is delighted to chip in with whatever he can given Arsenal’s current injury crisis.

 

The left-back was pushed forward as a late substitute in the north London derby on Sunday and scored a late equaliser to deny Tottenham the bragging rights after Harry Kane had given them a half-time lead.

And with explosive players like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still on the side-lines, Gibbs feels it is the responsibility of everybody to weigh in with a goal or two.

“The last time I scored was against Anderlecht in the Champions League last season, but in the Premier League it was a few years ago,” he said. “It’s my second Premier League goal.

“But in the last few games, we’ve had no midfielders and it’s been difficult for the boss with options. I’ve been coming on and looking across the bench, even though I’m a defender, I’m one of the more offensive players.

 

“So I was happy to come on in a big game and get a big goal.

“The squad is struggling for options at the moment, with injuries in midfield and up front. A few of the boys were tired having played midweek and last weekend. With me, it was a chance to bring on some fresh legs and do anything I could to help the boys.

“You could see they were getting tired. The game was stretched for a lot of the second half. We knew there would be chances. We had chances, as did they. But I’m thankful I managed to take mine and come away with a point.

“You can’t give up in these games when you know what it means to everyone inside the club, and the fans. They were great for us, and spurred us on. You have to give everything in these games to get the boys going.”