• Premier League

Gibbs confident Gunners rebirth is already underway

ESPN staff
September 21, 2011
Kieran Gibbs got Arsenal on the scoresheet against Shrewsbury © Getty Images
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Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has moved to assure the fans that the players are over their recent slump and determined to return the club to winning ways.

It has been a horrendous start to the season for the Gunners, with an unimpressive 1-0 win against Swansea City proving little respite between two humbling away defeats to Manchester United (8-2) and Blackburn Rovers (4-3).

The club got a much-needed win in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, albeit against League Two's Shrewsbury Town, but Gibbs - who scored his side's opening goal of the game - believes the revival is underway. He insists the squad have remained united, despite the difficulties.

"It has not been the easiest of months, but I can assure everyone that the team is together," Gibbs said. "You can see from the stats of the games that what we are doing is right, but on some occasions we just are not getting the results.

"We are looking to turn that around as soon as possible so we can lift the club. We just have to stand up and be counted, not hide away now if the results don't go our way. We will see a change."

The embarrassing result at Old Trafford means Arsenal currently have the worse defensive record in the league, and Gibbs admits players have had their confidence knocked by recent experiences.

"We bring a lot of trouble on ourselves at times, but it happens," he said. "You see other teams do it, but then they don't concede from it and it gets overlooked - but at the minute we make one [mistake] and it is a goal. It is unbelievable how much it is affecting us, but we will overcome it."

Gibbs' performance was one of a few bright spots in the cup victory at Emirates Stadium in midweek - along with that of £10 million summer signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former Southampton midfielder is keen to push his way into first-team contention after getting his first goal for the club.

"I haven't been on the bench as much as I would have liked recently and that is due to some quality signings. I forgot what it felt like to be out there," Oxlade-Chamberlain told the club's official website. "Before the game I walked out on the pitch and realised what a big stage it is - straight away I was excited and it was brilliant to be involved. I gave it my all and I hope I did well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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