Kieran Gibbs: Arsenal are stronger after tense finish last season

Kieran Gibbs insists that Arsenal are “ready to produce” next season following their tense top-four finish last term.

The Gunners pipped north London rivals Tottenham to fourth place in the Premier League table by just one point following a nervy 1-0 win at Newcastle on the final day of the 2012-13 campaign.

Arsenal have failed to mount a Premier League title challenge in recent campaigns – but 23-year-old defender Gibbs is confident Arsene Wenger’s men will step up next term.

“The dramatic finale to the season made us even stronger, and we will be going into the new one head on,” Gibbs is quoted as saying by the London Evening Standard.

“We are aware that we need to produce next season and have to make sure we are confident about dealing with that expectation.”

The 23-year-old added: “I will just relax now and make sure I prepare myself physically for next season, ensuring that I go into it with a clear head.

“I am really looking forward to it and hopefully we can all make it a special one.”