Gibbs: Gunners back on track

05 October 2012 08:18
Kieran Gibbs believes Arsenal are 'back on the front foot' as they prepare to lock horns with West Ham in the Premier League. 

The Gunners recovered from their home defeat by Premier League leaders Chelsea last weekend to move a step closer to qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Olympiacos at Emirates Stadium. Gibbs feels Arsene Wenger's side can now head to Upton Park in confident mood. 

"It was important to bounce back after a defeat (against Chelsea) at home. It was important for the players especially," Gibbs told Arsenal Player."

"We wanted to shake off a few doubts in our mind that we had. We certainly did that and we're back on the front foot now. "This is what we have to keep doing and keep pushing on from here." 

Left-back Gibbs has been recalled to the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland. Although fellow Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson missed out this time around, midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and forward Theo Walcott were both named by Roy Hodgson, who was at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Wales captain Aaron Ramsey came off the bench to chip in a cool third goal against the Greeks. 

With England midfielder Jack Wilshere, and also Emmanuel Frimpong, now stepping up rehabilitation from long-term injury, the Gunners have a strong British core within the group. Ramsey, 20, believes that can only help for the challenges ahead. He said: 

"It's good to see there's a lot of good British players coming through, playing for a top club with good ability and it's important."

"It's good to have that in a team in England as well, to have that British spirit because sometimes you have to be able to grind out results as well."

"That helps the team and everyone is getting on at the moment, a good team spirit."

"We had a disappointing game at the weekend but we reacted well which is important and hopefully we can go on a run again." 

The conversion of Gervinho to a central attacking role again paid dividends on Wednesday night. The Ivory Coast forward netted his fifth goal in as many appearances on 42 minutes with a low strike from the edge of the area, and then helped created the opening for Lukas Podolski to make it 2-1 in the second half, with Ramsey's neat finish wrapping up victory. Gibbs reckons Gervinho can give Arsenal something "special" in attack. The England defender said: 

"He has been given a bit of a different role, and it is working for us at the minute. "He has a tremendous change of pace and brings something special to the team. He is difficult to stop at times, which is all good for us."

Source: team_talk