Source: Eurosport
Gibbs gets Fabregas seal of approval
Cesc Fabregas has backed "devastated" Kieran Gibbs to recover from his Champions League nightmare and become an Arsenal and England great.[LNB] The 19-year-old left-back was playing in the biggest match of his young career on Tuesday night, only for an unfortunate slip to present Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung with an early away goal.[LNB] But captain Fabregas has every confidence Gibbs can shake off this disappointment, claiming: "Kieran has been amazing for us. He is a very strong guy and he will be a great player for Arsenal and England."[LNB] Before Arsenal could regroup from the nightmare start, Cristiano Ronaldo drilled in an audacious 40-yard free-kick past Manuel Almunia to make it 3-0 on aggregate and effectively kill off the tie as a contest inside 11 minutes.[LNB] Gibbs, who came through the Wimbledon academy before joining Arsenal, has been thrust into the Gunners' starting XI following a back injury to Gael Clichy, but was withdrawn at half-time last night by manager Arsene Wenger.[LNB] "Kieran has been so unlucky (against United)," Fabregas added. "He was devastated at half-time, and that made me really sad because he is only 19 and this can happen to anyone."[LNB] Arsenal now have little more than pride left to play for - although an unbeaten run of 21 Barclays Premier League run has given them an outside chance of overhauling Chelsea, whom they host on Sunday, for third place.[LNB] Fabregas accepts the Gunners must do better if they are to fulfil their undoubted potential.[LNB] "It has been a difficult season, for a young squad like ours we did quite well," said the Spain Euro 2008 winner, who missed a large chunk of the campaign because of a knee problem.[LNB] "We worked hard and were also in the FA Cup semi-final, playing against great teams, but we still have to improve a lot for next season. It is tough, but you have to stand up and look for the future."
