Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs has accepted that he has to battle for his place in the team after Nacho Monreal ousted the England man to become first choice in the left-back role under Arsene Wenger.
Since the turn of the year it has been the Spaniard who has been given the nod in the most important games, starring in wins against Manchester City and Manchester United, both away from home.
After a spell at centre back, Monreal is very much at home in the Arsenal XI and Gibbs knows what is required to win his place back to revitalise his Gunners career.
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“He’s a great guy and he’s been playing really well,” Gibbs told Arsenal Player.
“He’s adapted brilliantly to playing centre back and left back. It doesn’t sound it but it’s two completely different roles. When called upon he has done that really well.
“The only way to get better is to put pressure on yourself. You have to set your own standards and that’s the best way.”
With the busy schedule out of the way and only eight league games to focus on alongside the FA Cup, it may take an injury to Monreal for Gibbs to get a sniff of first team action this season.
Results are of paramount importance in the run-in and Wenger will be wanting to keep a stable side for the remainder of the campaign.