Arsenal's Gilbert joins Southend

Gilbert believes first-team chances would have been hard to come by at Arsenal

Arsenal defender Kerrea Gilbert has joined Southend United on loan for a six-month period.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Cardiff City and made 26 appearances for the Championship side.

"I'm pleased to be joining Southend and we have good times to look forward to," Gilbert told the Southend website.

"At Arsenal I'm not going to get the chance to really play this season because they signed another right-back, but hopefully I can help Southend."