Norwich want Arsenal youngster

Norwich City manager Glenn Roeder is set to hold talks with Arsenal about a second loan spell for England Under 19 Winger Kieran Gibbs.

Kieran spent the final three months of last season on loan with the Canaries, and although he spent most of his time on the bench he still made six competitive starts. Roeder has a close relationship with Arsène Wenger, and admits he will be speaking with the Arsenal manager about bringing the 18 year old for another spell in Norfolk.

“Kieran Gibbs is a player for whom last season ended too soon, he was getting better by the week.”

“I would like to think after Arsenal’s pre-season Arsène might like to let him come back here, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Gibbs was on target for the Reserves on his return to the club against Aston Villa, and told Arsenal.com after the fixture he would prefer to be loaned out again rather than play for Neil Banfield’s second string.

“On loan I learned the value of training [with a first-team] and the whole match day experience of travelling. Winning is also more important when you step up to that level.”

“I was only there for three months but I have learned some good things at Norwich. Realistically though I think I need to go out again for a few more months before I have got the right amount of experience.”

Although he is currently enjoying his holiday, Kieran will have an early start to the season as he jets off to the Czech Republic next week for the European Under 19 Championships. He will be present at the training sessions during next week, before the tournament begins on the 14th of July.

Following its commencement on the 26th, he will then return to London and is expected to feature in the first teams pre-season fixtures, as he did last year with a stunning performance against Inter Milan the highlight.