Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

From Arsenal.com

Why Gilberto led by example as Arsenal captain

There were more questions asked of Gilberto this season than any other in his Arsenal career. The way in which he answered every last one finally brought the praise the tireless Brazilian deserved.

Shy and reserved off the field, the 30-year-old is the unsung warhorse on it; his contribution to the cause often going unnoticed alongside the flair and effervescence of Arsenal’s attacking players. But with Thierry Henry sidelined for much of the 2006/07 campaign Gilberto captained the side with distinction, contributed a personal best 11 goals, marshalled the midfield and finally won the plaudits he had warranted for years.

One area in which the Brazil international truly excelled was passing. From his role as the midfield anchor, Gilberto distributed the ball with expert precision, often instigating one of Arsenal’s trademark free-flowing counter-attacks. In the Premiership alone he produced an impressive 302 passes of which 64 per cent found their intended target. Only Cesc Fabregas can boast a better record having contributed a staggering 414 passes.

Furthermore, he enjoyed his most successful season in front of goal, notching more than he’d managed in his previous four seasons as a Gunner combined. The first of those strikes, a late equaliser, will go down in history as the first ever Premiership goal by an Arsenal player at Emirates Stadium. Another two came on Tottenham’s first visit to our new home, and overall six came in games which Arsenal drew or won by a single-goal margin.

The midfielder’s 10 Premiership goals came off just 37 shots on goal. In addition to those efforts that beat the keeper another five found the target, one hit the woodwork and seven were blocked en route.

Defensively his presence was equally valuable. The former Athletic Mineiro man attempted 56 challenges in the league, coming out on top on 32 occasions. Only Fabregas, Toure and Gael Clichy managed more successful challenges. Gilberto also racked up 41 clearances — 15 more than any other midfielder – 19 interceptions and five blocks.

Players of Gilberto’s ilk can easily go unappreciated and never more so than in a title-challenging team. Squad-depleting injuries and a captain’s armband finally put the Brazilian on a platform last season, a platform that brought his true value to the fore.

With much disruption to what was already a young and inexperienced side Arsène Wenger needed a leader. In Gilberto he found a player who was unfazed by the role and, judging by the statistics, chose to lead by example.

Good article; Arsenal.com redeems itself!

(For now.)

Gilberto is second in Player of the Season poll

Gilberto has finished second in this season’s Player of the Season poll. The Brazilian midfielder took 17.14 per cent of the vote to record his best finish in his five years with the club. Click here to see Arsenal.com editor Richard Clarke’s tribute.

Strange though, this means Fabregas must have finished first. Was Fabregas really better than Gilberto last season? He didn’t score as many, didn’t set up as many, didn’t fare so well in the end-of-season statistics, and wasn’t called Gilberto Silva. To me, this says that his season wasn’t as good as Bert’s.

What else did Bert have to do to convince Arsenal fans that he was the best player in the team?

Never mind, though, because we are being compensated with GILBERTO SILVA week this week on Arsenal.com. However, it seems apart from Richard Clarke’s little compliment, all the video compilations and goodies require subscriptions to view. This is absolutely rubbish.

What a rubbish Gilberto Silva week. Never mind.

Check out this photo:

http://www.arsenal.com/images/a/awaykit0708_panorama.jpg

Good stuff:
1. It has Gilberto reading the newspaper.
2. Gilberto’s shoes look like clown shoes.

Bad stuff:
1. The white kit.
2. The white kit.
3. The white kit.

Source

Gilberto’s house is the centre of the Universe*

Adebayor revealed that, far from team spirit splintering after a troubled season, the Gunners are still a close-knit group held together by joker Emmanuel Eboue.

“He’s funnier than the funniest comedians on TV,” said Adebayor.

“Sometimes when he eats he puts food up his nose and when he met the Queen at Buckingham Palace he was on the floor playing with her corgis.

“At our Christmas party at Gilberto’s house it wasn’t fancy dress, but there was Eboue dressed as a tiger – with a tail and everything – waiting for me behind the door.

“When I arrived he made a noise like a tiger roaring.

“For a moment I was in a big panic, but then I saw him and I though, ‘Oh, its only him!’.”

*Some creative license may have been excercised whilst typing this headline.

Cool! Funny to hear that all the Arsenal players meet up at Gilberto’s! Plus, I’d love to see Eboue’s Tiger suit…

Captain Bert (again)

Gilberto played about 15 minutes for Brazil yesterday, as they drew 0-0 in a friendly. Bert was subbed on and took the captains arm band for those 15 minutes. That’s his second cap as captain.

From the Daily Mail

Arsenal will have to cope without midfielder Gilberto

Gilberto will miss the start of next season after being selected to captain Brazil at the Copa America this month in Venezuela.

The Arsenal midfielder, who is playing for his country in a friendly against Turkey in Dortmund tonight, will today be named in the 22-man Brazil squad for the tournament, which runs from 26 June to 15 July.

Gilberto will take a holiday after the competition and will not return to pre-season training until August, which will rule him out of Arsenal’s first-leg Champions League qualifier in early August and their opening Premiership fixture on 11 August.

The Brazilian said: “I have spoken to Arsene [Wenger] and he is aware of the situation. I will have a rest after the Copa America and will miss the first few games of the campaign because I’ll be doing my own pre-season.”

Gilberto’s position in the Arsenal side for the early season fixtures could be taken by fellow Brazilian Denilson, who has not been selected for the Copa America.

Meanwhile Arsenal had hoped to sign winger Franck Ribery from Marseille but he is set to join Bayern Munich.

Initial discussions have already taken place, and officials from the clubs will meet again later this week with a view to completing a £17million transfer.

Another busy summer for the Bert-meister…

Gilberto yesterday defended Lampard and Gerrard’s poor international.

I have no idea why. They both seem to be allergic to playing for England.

From the BBC Article:

Gilberto backs Gerrard & Lampard

Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva says Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are capable of forming a central midfield partnership for England.

England have struggled to find a way of fitting the two attack-minded midfielders into their system.

“People need to believe in them rather than criticise and say they cannot play together,” Gilberto told BBC Sport.

“They need to lift them and boost their confidence. They showed they can play together. They made it hard for us.”

Gilberto came face-to-face with Lampard and Gerrard at Wembley on Friday in the 1-1 friendly draw.

With holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves ruled out through injury, coach Steve McClaren opted to try the Lampard and Gerrard partnership in the centre of midfield.

While Gerrard rivalled David Beckham for England’s best player, Lampard was again short of his top form.

Despite given ample opportunities to form a central midfield understanding under previous coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, the two stars have rarely looked like the right combination.

But Arsenal star Gilberto feels there is no reason why they cannot work together if they are given the chance.

“They are both great players – especially Steven Gerrard,” he said.

“He is almost the complete player, he goes forward well, defends well, passes the ball and makes it very difficult.

“It is down to both of them to adjust and when one goes forward the other one stays back and that’s what they did against us.

“I think the important thing is not to absorb the pressure and keep it in your mind.

“You are there on the pitch to be judged by the people and by journalists and by the fans and sometimes for the manager. But if you do your job well and give 100% you will go home and sleep well.

“This is the important thing – not to keep pressure on you.

“But it is not just about them but the whole team, England have some great players.”

Lampard defended his performance at Wembley and feels too much is expected of himself and Gerrard when they play for their country.

“I think it worked very well on Friday,” he said. “We were very disciplined, we worked hard together and it wasn’t a game for me and Steven to get forward and get past the front man too much.

“I think people have to understand that when we play together for England you won’t always get the same performances as we do for our clubs. Maybe we have a freer rein there to get forward.

“We had to be disciplined and it worked very well I thought. I think we’ve been successful. I don’t know what our record is but I think it’s pretty good.

“There is an understanding, we’re not selfish players where one of us wants to go running all over the pitch.

“We look at each other and we communicate with each other and make sure we don’t play without discipline and that’s what we did and we will continue to do that. “

Hmmmm. I am not convinced.

Brazil beat Chile 3-0 the other day, and Gilberto has been talking about it again. As captain, he’s always being asked to talk these days. He must be getting knackered.

Individually, Robinho was the high point but the whole team was excellent, you can’t say that any player was a let down. Everybody did their job. It’s normal for somebody to attract attention when they score three goals but the whole team got the result.

Yay.

Read the whole match report here: The Guardian, or see Robinho’s goals here: Youtube.

Check it.

Gilberto captains Brazil to 1-1 draw against England

Gilberto (far left) squeezes into a photo

Gilberto CAPTAINED Brazil to a 1-1 at the international opening game of Wembley Stadium. He scored a goal, but it was disallowed due to a dodgy offside decision. He set up youngster ‘Diego’ from a cross, which salvaged Brazil’s game.

Great work Bert! Captain of Brazil – what next?

HENRY QUIT FEAR

GILBERTO SILVA last night became the first Arsenal player to admit he fears Thierry Henry could leave this summer.

Gunners captain Henry has been critical of the club for not signing more established and experienced big names as they try to keep up with Manchester United and Chelsea.

It has put Henry’s future in doubt again and World Cup winner Gilberto, who will line up for Brazil in tonight’s Wembley friendly, said: “We want him to stay because we know how important he is to the team.

“Everyone expects him to stay but for the last few years there has been speculation about him. But we are confident he will stay.

“We need to be patient. It is fingers crossed but I have talked to him and I think he will stay.”

Gilberto is relishing tonight’s friendly, and facing David Beckham – even if he was surprised he was dropped in the first place. He added: “I was not surprised when he was recalled, but I was surprised when he was left out because he is a great player.

“It’s good for the England team to have him back because from what I have seen he appears to be the leader of the team.

“Some people have criticised England players for not playing their best but the match against us is a chance for them to prove them wrong.

“England have some players whose style I really like, especially Steven Gerrard. Others need time to adjust.” Brazil boss Dunga, with six wins and a draw from his first eight games in charge, has picked an allstar team, with the line-up including Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho said: “Wembley is a historical temple of football and to be the first national team that wins there will be very emotive.

“For me if we win in London it will be a little revenge because this season with Barca we lost to Chelsea and Liverpool, and the Champions League was a dream for me. To win with Brazil will give me some pleasure.”

John Cross wrote this article. He is the one who should be blamed for sensationalism in the headline. “HENRY QUIT FEAR!!!” – when Gilberto ACTUALLY said “I think he will stay.” For shame.