Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs was full of praise for former colleague Gael Clichy who left the Gunners in the summer to join Manchester City.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, the Englishman agreed that the 26-year old was a fantastic servant for Arsenal with the 21-year old explaining that similar injuries helped the two get closer to each other with the experienced Frenchman always full of advice, one who was always full of energy and ready to never give up on the pitch.

On what it means to be promoted as the squad’s regular left-back, the youngster admitted that this is a huge opportunity in his career and that he is looking forward to enjoying all the action he will get on the pitch and to learn in his relatively new role.

With Andrey Arshavin criticised for not helping enough last season, Gibbs concluded by defending players in front of him from criticism explaining that the Gunners take risks with the style of football they adopt and that what is important is for forward players to deliver offensively.

On Gael Clichy, the Englishman said:

[Gael Clichy was a] fantastic [servant for Arsenal], I’m looking to follow in his shoes and try to do what he and other players for the Club have done.

We had similar injuries when he done his metatarsal and I’ve done the same, we both came back and then had another setback after it so he taught me about being patient and not try to come back too quickly because you could have problems from that.

And then obviously on the pitch, his work rate, his tenacity, just watching him in my last two years, he has helped me, he has helped me a lot.

It’s a big chance [for me], when players leave and you get an opportunity you just have to enjoy it and take it and I’ll do that. I’ve been playing at left back for two years now and it is something that you have to keep learning and keep progressing with. The more I play, the more I will get used to that role.

You have to be more concentrated [as a full back], especially with the formation that we play. We are an offensive team and we play exciting football, so we have to be more aware obviously, defensively.

I like to help when I can [going forward]. I feel we can do a lot of damage to teams, me and [Bacary Sagna] as well, when we play. We play very high up and we like to play that type of football. Hopefully we can make it even more effective this season.

[Gervinho and Andrey Arshavin?] It’s important to respect what they do, offensively. They have received some [negative criticism] in the past, that they should do more defensively but we play that type of football, with that risk, I could only say to them, as long as they’re providing offensively and they do their bit then it’s good.