Arsenal youngster Kieran Gibbs was left devastated
by the slip (below) that handed Manchester United an early lead at
the Emirates.
Cesc Fabregas has backed 'devastated' Kieran Gibbs to
recover from his Champions League nightmare and become an Arsenal
great.
The 19-year-old left-back was playing in the biggest match of
his young career last night, only for an unfortunate slip to
present Manchester United midfielder Ji-Sung Park with an early
away goal.
Before Arsenal could regroup, 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.
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back injury to Gael Clichy, but was withdrawn at half-time last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.
The defender had a three-month spell on loan with Coca-Cola
Championship club
Norwich at the start of 2008, but this season has played in all
competitions for the Arsenal first team - including an FA Cup
semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley last month.
Fabregas has every confidence Gibbs can shake off this
disappointment and follow in the footsteps of former Gunner Ashley
Cole into the senior England team.
The defender had a three-month spell on loan with Coca-Cola
Championship club
Norwich at the start of 2008, but this season has played in all
competitions for the Arsenal first team - including an FA Cup
semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley last month.
Fabregas has every confidence Gibbs can shake off this
disappointment and follow in the footsteps of former Gunner Ashley
Cole into the senior England team.
'Kieran has been amazing for us,' Fabregas declared. 'He has
been so unlucky (against United). He was devastated at half-time,
and that made me really sad because he is only 19 and this can
happen to anyone.
'But he is a very strong guy and he will be a great player for
Arsenal and England.'
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.
Fabregas accepts the Gunners must do better if they are to
fulfil their undoubted potential. '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.
'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.
'If we keep going and keep the team together, I am sure this
team will have a lot to say in the future.'
Fabregas added: 'We are a young side, but we are strong, we have
character and dignity. We need to be positive, to help each other
and I am sure we will be okay
against Chelsea on Sunday.'
