Kieran Gibbs appears to have inherited Bacary Sagna’s number 3 shirt judging by the latest photos from the Arsenal training ground.

Sagna, who recently departed for Manchester City, wore the number throughout his seven year tenure with the Gunners following in the footsteps of Ashley Cole, Igor Stepanovs (who bizarrely held it for the 2000/01 season) and Nigel Winterburn.

Gibbs has worn the 28 shirt for four consecutive seasons but will no doubt see his accession to single digits (assuming it is confirmed) as an important step in consolidating his credentials as the club’s outright first choice left-back ahead of Nacho Monreal.

The number 2 shirt, surrendered last season by Abou Diaby, remains the only other first XI number available and could well be offered to incoming Newcastle right-back Mathieu Debuchy.

The numbers 13 (Viviano), 23 (Bendtner), 18 (formerly Squillaci), 27 (formerly Gervinho), 29 (Kallstrom) and 30 (Park) are also currently available.

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Hat tip to the eagled-eyed @RYO_Cleverfish (didn’t even confuse him with the Ox!). Picture courtesy of Arsenal photographer David Price.