Arsenal Captain Mikel Arteta: 'Kieran Gibbs Can Become England's First-Choice Left-Back'

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta believes Kieran Gibbs has what it takes to become Roy Hodgson's first-choice left-back in the England national team, ahead of Manchester United's Luke Shaw and Everton's Leighton Baines.

Ashley Cole retired from international football in the summer after Hodgson decided against taking him to the World Cup, which left Shaw and Baines looking like the favourites to fill the left-back position for England.

But with former Southampton player Shaw struggling with a number of injuries since his £27m move to Old Trafford in the summer, Gibbs became part of the England set-up for the last international break.

The Arsenal defender earned his fourth cap for the Three Lions, playing an important role during the 5-0 thrashing victory over San Marino at Wembley, while Baines took his place for the Estonia clash.

The 25-year-old left-back has established himself in Arsene Wenger's line-up during the last two seasons, ahead of Nacho Monreal, and Arteta believes Gibbs can replicate the same performances with the national team.

"It was great for Kieran Gibbs to get back in the national team," Arteta said, according to Arsenal's official website.

"He has been unlucky because it's hard to see any other national team with three or four left-backs who are top quality."

The Arsenal captain believes no other country has so many competent players vying for the left-back role but reckons Gibbs has proved he deserves to be a regular part of Hodgson's plans.

"Spain and Germany definitely don't have that. No other international team has three or four top-quality left-backs like Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw and Gibbo," Arteta said.

"Now he's got his chance, he has to take it because I think he can be a very good player for the national team. I'm very happy for him."