Arsenal stalwart Kieran Gibbs is reportedly pondering an exit from the Emirates Stadium after losing his spot in the England national team competing in the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup UEFA qualifying tournament.
The Sun reported that Gibbs had lost his spot in new Three Lions head coach Sam Allardyce because the 26-year-old left back had been lacking first-team time with the Gunners as Arsene Wenger prefers Spaniard Nacho Monreal ahead of him in the left backfield pecking order.
The report then said that the 5-foot-10 Lambeth, England native is willing to stay "in Wenger's squad and fight for his place instead of moving to a mid-ranking Premier League team", notwithstanding the temptation of playing regular football in the lesser squads.
Gibbs, whose contract with Arsenal is set to expire on June of 2018, will be able to officially talk to other clubs with regards to transfer moves after 18 months or he could agree to a contract extension if he decides to stay with the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Caught Offside indicated that Gibbs "could now be having a change of heart and considering his options in order to secure regular first-team football" as he finds no hope of displacing the 30-year-old Monreal in Wenger's starting XI.
The article noted that "injury woes, a lack of form and consistency coupled with Monreal's arrival" had all contributed to Gibbs lack of first-team football, which had affected his confidence in the club.
With fellow underused teammate Jack Wilshere transferring to AFC Bournemouth on a year-long loan deal last week, the 10-year Arsenal senior player could be "inspired to perhaps follow in his footsteps and try his luck elsewhere".
It remains to be seen, though, if Gibbs will aim for a return trip to the Emirates Stadium after he had proven himself to Wenger or a complete move away from north London to jumpstart a declining career. There are no rumors of potential destinations as well or if he would also consider moving to a different country or league.
In 10 seasons with the club, Gibbs had appeared in a total of 208 games in all competitions and had scored six times mainly as a defender during the said time span.
He was a product of Arsenal's youth academy and had only played for the club during his whole senior career except for a seven-game loan spell with Norwich City in the Championship during the 2007-2008 season.