Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

From Setanta.com

Gilberto reveals reasons for departure

Gilberto Silva admits the promise of first-team football and the offer of a three-year contract made his mind up when it came to deciding whether to leave Arsenal for Panathinaikos.

The Brazilian completed his move to Henk ten Cate’s side earlier this month to end a six-year association with The Gunners.

It was a happy marriage for the most part, although after finding his opportunities restricted last season, the midfielder confirmed that he wanted to play away.

Speaking to Arsenal TV, Gilberto said: “I don’t know if I’d have had a chance to play this season and then I had this opportunity [Panathinaikos].

“It’s a great opportunity in terms of playing games and also contractually.

“I’ve got three years there and had just one more year left at Arsenal and I considered all these things.”

From Dailymail.com

Gilberto motivated by silverware as Arsenal midfielder moves to Panathinaikos

Gilberto Silva has become one of the highest-paid players in Greece but the former Arsenal midfielder insists that is not the reason he joined Panathinaikos.

The Brazilian World Cup winner completed his £1million transfer, signing a contract which will see him earn £6m over three years.

But Gilberto insists he is not looking to wind down his career, with the 31-year-old saying: ‘I’m hungry to win more titles.

‘I came to Greece because I have big ambitions, it’s very important for me to be able to continue to give my best. I’m sure we will qualify through to the group stages of the Champions League and I’m excited about being a Panathinaikos player.’

Gilberto admitted he was stunned by the reception he received at Athens Airport from a crowd of around 2,000 Panathinaikos supporters.

‘I’m lost for words trying to thank the fantastic fans that welcomed me so warmly,’ he said.

‘I will respond by giving 100 per cent on the field.’

Re-posted from Football 365

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto has warned that Alex Hleb and Mathieu Flamini could live to regret leaving the Gunners for more money.

The Brazilian has exited Arsenal for Panathinaikos this summer because he was not guaranteed first-team football, but Hleb and Flamini have both left to earn more elsewhere.

“When you win things, you achieve more than anybody else. You get better contracts, and more money, anyway,” Gilberto told The Daily Telegraph.

“I can’t blame a player who wants a good contract. But I believe if they stay at the club, they can earn good money and do a lot for the club and themselves. So if they win something, it means more and they are more appreciated by supporters.

“I don’t know what the reason is for them leaving [Flamini and Hleb] but they could have stayed. If it’s for money, I would think they’re wrong.

“Most of the players who leave miss the club for lots of reasons. The lifestyle at Arsenal is fantastic. You get so well looked after.”

Serious rumours are emerging from Greece that Gilberto is on the brink of a move away from Arsenal – to Panathinaikos.

The excellent Arsenal website, Arsenal Analysis has an excellent piece on this transfer rumour, here is a re-post:

Arsenal have agreed to transfer Gilberto Silva to Panathinaikos and Gilberto may be keen on the idea too.

Ken Friar is reported today in the Greek press as having said that he has, on behalf of Arsenal, come to an agreement in principle with Panathinaikos president Nikos Pateras.

All that remains now is for the player to agree personal terms for the deal to go through.

“If Gilberto agrees personal terms then we will not stand in his way” Friar said to Greek paper “SportDay”. “If this happens then it seems that we will agree a transfer fee with Panathinaikos”.

For this reason the meeting that was scheduled to take place today in London has been transferred to the more sunny climate of Athens where Gilberto’s agent, Frank Trimboli, from “Base” agency will carry out the negotiations.

He may be taking with him Greek speaking Sakis Tzikas, an ex footballer in Greece who is a consultant with “Base”, so that he could help with the negotiations.

“Base” Agency has a number of footballers on its books such as Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone of Tottenham and Andy Johnson of Everton.

Gilberto himself who is holidaying on his farm in Brazil is reported to have said that if personal terms are satisfactory then he will consider coming to Athens.

“I don’t have a problem about playing in Greece if the financial terms are satisfactory” he said.

As we first revealed two days ago on this site, the Greek club are willing to meet Gilberto’s demand for a three year contract with the same wages he is currently on at Arsenal (£2m per year).

The third year however will come into force if Gilberto plays in 50% of the games the year before.

What has accelerated the deal has been the decline in the interest originally shown by two German clubs, Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund who could not meet the player’s high wage demands.

Panathinaikos, which now has former Chelsea assistant boss Henk Ten Cate as their head coach, are very keen to conclude the deal which for them will be considered a major scoop.

They expect that part of the outlay will be recovered form an expected surge in season ticket sales as Gilberto’s reputation as a World Cup winner and a current international with Brazil ranks highly.

Gilberto will also, if the deal goes through, have fellow Brazilian Rivaldo for company. He has been exciting the crowds with his sublime skills for a number of years at Athens based clubs Olympiakos and currently with AEK.

Various transfer fees are reported in the press which are between £1m and £2.5m.

Reposted from AFP: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5h…

Arsenal confirm Gilberto’s Greek move

LONDON (AFP) — Arsenal confirmed on Thursday that Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva has completed his one million pounds (1.2 million euros) move to Greek club Panathinaikos.

Former Arsenal captain Gilberto ended his six-year spell with Arsene Wenger’s side after passing a medical in Athens.

The 31-year-old has signed a three-year deal worth an estimated six million pounds (7.5 million euros), making him the highest paid player in Greek football.

But Gilberto, who was greeted by over 1,000 fans when he arrived in Greece, insisted he is motivated by the chance to win titles and not the size of his bank balance.

“I’m hungry to win more titles. I came to Greece because I have big ambitions, it’s very important for me to be able to continue to give my best,” he said. “(Panathinaikos manager) Henk ten Cate is a coach I know from his time at Chelsea and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“The people here at Panathinaikos made the decision to come here very easy.

“I’m sure we will qualify through to the group stages of the Champions League and I’m exited about being a Panathinaikos player.”

Gilberto, a World Cup winner in 2002, was a member of the “invincible” Arsenal team that won the 2004 Premier League title after going unbeaten through the entire campaign.

He made 244 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 24 goals, and also won the FA Cup in 2003 and 2005.

“Arsenal can confirm that Gilberto has joined Greek side Panathinaikos,” a statement on the club’s website read.

“Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Gilberto for his huge contribution to the club both on and off the pitch, and wish him the very best for the future.”

I would be foolish to try and summarise the feeling of all Arsenal fans – but one blogger, the excellent Arseblog.com, actually managed. Here is what he posted on July 18:

There’s only one place to start this morning and that’s the departure of Gilberto Silva, confirmed officially by the club yesterday. In stark contrast to the rather cutting remarks made by Arsene Wenger about Hleb’s move the official website was full of good cheer towards the Brazilian, and so it should be. He’s been a fantastic servant since he joined in the summer of 2002, been an integral part of title and trophy winning sides and, in an era when players are all too willing to throw a strop at the slightest little things, he’s been a model professional in the face of some serious disappointments.

It really wasn’t until he spent a long time out with a serious back injury that people realised what he brought to the side. Never the most dynamic or creative he had a natural defensive instinct and was always aware of where the team needed cover. If a centre-half went forward he automatically slotted into their position to cover.

He had some landmark moments too. He scored on his debut against Liverpool in the Charity Shield, he scored what was then the fastest ever Champions League goal against PSV (despite giving the ball away, heh), and he scored our first goal at the new stadium as we drew 1-1 against Aston Villa on the opening day of the 2006-7 season. And that year was probably his finest as an Arsenal player. He led the team in the absence of Thierry Henry, scored a lot of goals and was, to my mind, our best player that year.

Last summer he went to the Copa America with Brazil and suffered for it. Most expected him to be made captain, Arsene went with William Gallas, a move which, in hindsight, turned out to be as poor a decision as the boss has ever made, in my opinion. Gilberto found himself on the bench as Flamini took his chance and kept his place in the side. But despite his obvious disappointment and hurt at the way things turned out he did nothing but keep his head down, work hard and give 100% for the club whenever needed. As a professional I sincerely hope that our younger players take their example from him rather than some of the other ‘characters’ in the squad.

So he goes to Panathanaikos on a three year deal and I sincerely wish him all the best out there. He was a real professional and thoroughly decent man. Thanks for everything, Bert. You’ll be remembered fondly.

Well done on your move Gilberto – and well done for all your work at Arsenal!

Now let’s see a new era of sucecss for you in Greece!

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hk5pFsQJFFVC8urk_oosU6GhIi1w

Brazil captain Gilberto Silva received a rousing welcome from around 1,500 Panathinaikos fans at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport after he arrived in Greece on Wednesday evening.

The 31-year-old Arsenal midfielder is set to be unveiled by Panathinaikos on Thursday once he passes a medical and signs a three-year contract in a move which will cost the Athens club a reported total of 10million euros.

PAO president Nikos Pateras met with Gilberto’s representatives last week and thrashed out a deal after offering Arsenal accepted an offer of 1.25million euros.

Gilberto, whose flight arrived half an hour late at 18.20 local time, was overwhelmed by the reception and was whisked away by Pana officials without making any statements to the local media.

Barring any last-minute changes, the World Cup winner will ink a deal that will see him earn 7.5million euros over the next three years, making him by far the best paid player in the country.

Despite being made vice captain of Arsenal in 2006, Gilberto found himself on the fringes of the first team last season due to the presence of Cesc Fabregas and the emergence of Matthieu Flamini, who has since left the club and been replaced by France midfielder Samir Nasri.

After beginning his career in 1997 with America Mineiro, Gilberto moved to Atletico Mineiro three years later. He earned a starting berth in the Brazil team that won the 2002 World Cup.

His displays in Japan and Korea were rewarded by a move to Arsenal that summer and he went on to win one Premier League title and two FA Cups with Arsene Wenger’s men.

From Local Guardian:

Gunners midfielder wants talks with Wenger

GILBERTO SILVA will hold showdown talks with Arsene Wenger when he returns from his holiday in Brazil and the midfielder has not ruled out a move away from the Emirates.

The Brazil captain lost his place in the side last year to Mathieu Flamini, and despite the Frenchman departing for AC Milan this summer, Gilberto remains uncertain about his future at the club.

Speaking from his hometown of Lagoa da Prata, the 31-year-old said: “I will sit down with Arsene Wenger when I come back for pre-season training and see whether I have a future at the club.

“I want to play for Arsenal, but if they don’t want me I will have to leave. It’s really up to the manager what happens now.”

So far this summer, Gilberto has played in Brazil’s two World Cup qualification games for the 2010 World Cup. Brazil have come under fire, along with a host of players, as well as manager Dunga. Criticisms levelled against A Selecao include playing boringly.

Brazil’s first qualification game was against Paraguay; Brazil lost 2-0. Sports Ya reported,

Paraguay crushed Brazil with a 2-0 win in Asuncion, to keep leading South American Qualifiers as “lord and master”, claim the media. Paraguayan sports papers stress the national team victory over Brazil and have headlines such as “They are the best,” “Dad rules at home,” crushing “Paraguayan rage”, and “Paraguayan show”.

Paper Abc Color labeled Argentine Gerardo Martino’s side as “Father of the wins and standings,” making reference to the matched played on Father’s Day and to the top of the South American Qualifiers table.

“Paraguay’s rage is impossible to master,” newspaper Ultima Hora claims, adding that the formation displayed by Paraguay coach “tied Brazil up”.

A big performance at home to Argentina was required, but Brazil could only manage a 0-0 draw with their blue rivals. FIFA.com reported:

It seems hard to believe it was only 11 months ago that Dunga, Brazil’s 1994 FIFA World Cup USAâ„¢-winning captain and current coach, masterminded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Argentina in the final of the Copa America. On Wednesday night, on home turf against the same opponents, the tactician was subject to the harshest wave of criticism in his long and fruitful involvement with the Seleção.

“So long, Dunga!” was just one of the discordious chants to fall upon the fiery coach’s ears over the course of an anaemic second half. With the visiting Albiceleste dominating possession and threatening to break the deadlock via Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme, the 57,000 fans packed into the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte turned viciously on their team.

So far this summer, Gilberto has played in Brazil’s two World Cup qualification games for the 2010 World Cup. Brazil have come under fire, along with a host of players, as well as manager Dunga. Criticisms levelled against A Selecao include playing boringly.

Brazil’s first qualification game was against Paraguay; Brazil lost 2-0. Sports Ya reported,

Paraguay crushed Brazil with a 2-0 win in Asuncion, to keep leading South American Qualifiers as “lord and master”, claim the media. Paraguayan sports papers stress the national team victory over Brazil and have headlines such as “They are the best,” “Dad rules at home,” crushing “Paraguayan rage”, and “Paraguayan show”.

Paper Abc Color labeled Argentine Gerardo Martino’s side as “Father of the wins and standings,” making reference to the matched played on Father’s Day and to the top of the South American Qualifiers table.

“Paraguay’s rage is impossible to master,” newspaper Ultima Hora claims, adding that the formation displayed by Paraguay coach “tied Brazil up”.

A big performance at home to Argentina was required, but Brazil could only manage a 0-0 draw with their blue rivals. FIFA.com reported:

It seems hard to believe it was only 11 months ago that Dunga, Brazil’s 1994 FIFA World Cup USAâ„¢-winning captain and current coach, masterminded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Argentina in the final of the Copa America. On Wednesday night, on home turf against the same opponents, the tactician was subject to the harshest wave of criticism in his long and fruitful involvement with the Seleção.

“So long, Dunga!” was just one of the discordious chants to fall upon the fiery coach’s ears over the course of an anaemic second half. With the visiting Albiceleste dominating possession and threatening to break the deadlock via Lionel Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme, the 57,000 fans packed into the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte turned viciously on their team.

BBC.co.uk reported the same thing.

Gilberto Silva, however, garnered some half-hearted praise [Goal.com] despite the draw:

Gilberto Silva 6.5/10: An acceptable performance from the defensive midfielder. Did well to break down some dangerous Argentine attacks. Still, more is expected of him.

Media-reportage aside, Gilberto has played 90 minutes in both qualifiers – this should keep him sharp for the start of Arsenal’s 2008-09 Premiership season.

Before that, though, is Brazil’s Olympic bid in Beijing, with Gilberto expected to play a key part in the tournament.

Reposted from Mirror.co.uk

Brazil are preparing for two crucial World Cup qualifiers – against Paraguay tomorrow and arch-rivals Argentina on Thursday – as the South American campaign for South Africa 2010 gets serious.

And Elano says the squad are all guessing Ronaldinho’s next move.

“At first sight, one could believe it is a mistake to leave Barcelona for Manchester City,” said the midfielder.

“But I know Manchester City, I know its structure and I can say one thing for sure: it would be very good for Ronaldinho and excellent for our club. I hope it becomes concrete.”

Ronaldinho, 28, is currently resting in his home city of Porte Alegre. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra will finance any deal with the help of sponsors including Nike, and the club claim the player is enthusiastic about joining them, however that will change if Chelsea step in.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva is hoping talks between Manchester City and Barcelona fail as he wants Ronaldinho at the Emirates. He said: “Ronaldinho is special, and anyone would like to have him as his team-mate.”

Elano and Silva are in the underpressure Brazil squad for the clash with Paraguay, along with Manchester United’s Anderson. Javier Mascherano is involved for Argentina, who play host to Ecuador before travelling to Brazil, but Carlos Tevez is suspended after being sent off against Colombia last year.

Brazil – who are missing Ronaldinho and Kaka – are third in the group after four games, behind leaders Paraguay.

A defeat in a friendly to Venezuela last week increased the pressure on coach Dunga, and any setbacks this week will not help his cause.

Re-posted from Goal.com

Gilberto Sings Scolari’s Praises

The Blues’ appointment of the man who led Brazil to their fifth World Cup in 2002 has certainly captured the imagination, and the enthusiasm is clearly not limited to the extended Chelsea family.

“At the 2002 World Cup he was a fantastic manager and a fantastic man,” said Gilberto, who knows ‘Big Phil’ very well from their time together with the ‘Selecao’.

“He was like a father to us. It was as if we were all under his arm.

“He took all the responsibility and shielded us from any negatives.

“He kept any criticism away from the dressing room and allowed us to play without fear,” he added.

“For me he was extra special. I was one of the newer players in the squad, but he made me feel every bit as important as Ronaldo.”

Gilberto, 31, certainly has been in talkative mood since he arrived in the Brazilian training camp, as yesterday he also sprung something of a surprise by insisting that it is still undecided whether he will elect to extend his Arsenal career.

Scolari, in the meanwhile, could be set for the perfect swansong, as Portugal have become early favourites to achieve glory in Austria and Switzerland this month after their blistering start to EURO 2008.