Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking for the best talent, next up is Kieran Gibbs.
We run the rule over Arsenal and England's Kieran Gibbs
Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find.
Our Scout will report back and you can comment on what you think of our appraisal.
Also, in association with Football Manager, we give all readers the chance to win a copy of the latest game by nominating a player.
You can only nominate a player by
emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line and please check to make sure we haven't already covered the player!
Should your player get reviewed by our scout, and you were first to send in his name, then you will win a copy of Football Manager 2010.
Latest under our scout's gaze is Arsenal youngster
Kieran Gibbs - recommended by
Sky Sports reader
Chris Lennon.
The scout reports...
Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs is already being touted as a future England star after his debut against Hungary. The Sky Sports Scout now makes his own checks on the Gunners left-back.
Arsenal produced England's current left-back Ashley Cole, who is widely regarded as the best in the world, and hopes are high that they already possess the successor to Cole's Three Lions shirt in Gibbs.
London-born Gibbs began his playing career with Wimbledon before they relocated to Milton Keynes Dons and he was one of a handful of players picked up by the Arsenal academy.
He joined Arsenal as a central midfielder or winger, but Arsenal's coaches saw his potential as a full-back and he was soon playing regularly in defence.
When he turned 18 in 2007 he was handed his first professional contract and was named in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League squad for that season before being handed his first-team debut in the League Cup.
Later that season he was sent on loan to Norwich City and he impressed during his time in Norfolk, but the following year was a big one for Gibbs as he featured regularly in pre-season. He continued to be part of the League Cup squad, but he was also handed his Premier League and Champions League debuts.
Now very much a part of the first-team squad but a broken bone in his foot curtailed his impact last season. However, his progress has not gone unnoticed or unheralded with Arsene Wenger heaping praise on his development.
And on the back of England's poor World Cup campaign, he was called up for the friendly with Hungary on Wednesday night where he made his senior debut.
Whether Gibbs is ready for international football could be questioned, but there is little doubting his potential and ability.
His pace and strength are his main attributes, but having been schooled so well by Arsenal, his passing and technique are excellent, and there is little doubt he will soon be a regular in the Gunners side.
The scout says...
The only real obstacle for Gibbs at the moment is Gael Clichy's presence at Arsenal, and he would be first choice for most Premier League sides.
But Wenger is a big fan and he will bring Gibbs into his side when he knows the time is right. There is little question of this boy moving as Arsenal have already done so much for him.
The Scout rating...
Shooting: 5 out of 10
Passing: 8 out of 10
Tackling: 8 out of 10
Heading: 7 out of 10
Pace: 9 out of 10
Vision: 7 out of 10
Current ability: 7 out of 10
Potential ability: 10 out of 10
OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 61/80
Current value: £10million
Potential value: £30million
Your opinion...
You have read our opinion of Gibbs - now we want your views. Have you seen Gibbs in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it?
And if you have spotted anyone you think we should feature then please get in touch using the same form. We will look to send out the Scout to follow up some of your leads.
