Gibbs to return by middle of this month

Good news for Arsenal fans as you may witness Kieran Gibbs back in first team action by the middle of March.

The English international has been absent since limping off after just 37 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool on January 30, but he is now under rehabilitation for his thigh strain and likely to be back for the Arsenal’s chase for that coveted fourth place, which would be huge boost for under fire boss Arsene Wenger.

The 23-year-old was initially thought to be on the sidelines for just three weeks, but scans after the Liverpool match revealed that Gibbs would need at least six weeks to regain full fitness.

The thigh injury was so severe that it persuaded Wenger to add Nacho Monreal from Malaga on transfer deadline day, but with the Spaniard ineligible to play in the Champions League and Andre Santos’ sub-par showing forcing a his loan move back to Brazil, the Gunners will be missing an out an out left-back when they visit Bayern Munich later in the month.

Gibbs is expected to resume casual training by the end of this week and if all goes according to the plan, the left-back could make the squad for March 16?s trip to Swansea City at the Liberty stadium.

Injuries though have not hurt Arsenal this season as much as they have in recent past campaigns. Bacary Sagna, whose place will be filled by Carl Jenkison on Sunday, and Abou Diaby – who is set for a pre-match fitness test on sunday morning before the north London derby– are the only real injury concerns for Gunners apart from Kierran Gibbs at the moment.