RISING Arsenal star Kieran Gibbs has told The New Paper that it was the advice of his senior team-mates that contributed to his impressive display on Sunday afternoon.
'The senior players were great,' said Gibbs.
'They all came over and spoke to me before the kick-off. They told me to just keep playing my game, keep relaying information to them and most importantly to relax.'
Gibbs, 17, said that the advice given to him by Justin Hoyte and Mathieu Flamini, in particular, before the game kept him focused and calm.
'When the match kicked off, they both talked me through the whole thing,' he said.
The young midfielder was also taken aback by the reception he received from the 59,000 crowd.
'It was amazing when my name was read out at the start of the game,' he beamed.
'The crowd gave me a huge cheer and I hadn't even done anything! It was great.'
Gibbs was compared to Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs by manager Arsene Wenger after the game.
'He is full of tricks and I was very pleased with him,' said the French boss.
Captain for the day, William Gallas, was also impressed with his performance.
The French defender told The New Paper: 'Before the game I told him to play like he always plays for the reserves. He needed to show everyone what he can do. He did really well and I'm very happy for him'.
On his own performance as stand-in skipper, Gallas said he'd be delighted to take on the role of captaincy full-time.
'I was very proud and very excited to lead the team out,' he said.
'I don't know if I'll be the captain again, but if I am, it would be great. I think I have a lot of experience and I can pass that on to the young players.'
Gallas, 30, scoffed at the idea that he might be considered as 'the daddy' by such a young team of players,
'No, I don't feel like that! Yes, I play with a lot of young players, but they're good young players and I think everyone has seen that today. They're ready and I'm very confident for the start of the season, especially after our two wins this weekend.'
Gallas, who joined Arsenal from Stamford Bridge last August, seemed upset at suggestions that Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool might be too strong for the young Gunners this season.
'Arsenal are strong as well,' he pointed out. 'This win has given us the confidence that we needed at the season's start. We have now shown what we can do.'
