Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

Here is what Gilberto told Arsenal.com:

The game against Liverpool is very important. If we want to fight for the title then we must win this game. We know what happened last year, we struggled a lot in the early stages.

This season we have dropped many points already, that is why we are so far from the [leaders]. But we know we want to fight for the title and that is why this is a crucial moment for us.

This is the kind of game that, if you win, gives you a lot of confidence because we’re going to play against a great team with good players,” he said.

We need to concentrate from the start because if you make a big mistake against a team like that they kill you. That’s why we cannot afford to miss so many chances when we get an opportunity to score.

I think it’s much better – not easier – but better when we play against a team like Liverpool because they will not sit back just to defend. They will come out and want to play. They want to win.

But, at the same time, we are confident for this game. We’ve forgotten about our last few games and I think we’ve taken a lesson from them.

Source
Gilberto blames Pardew for Wenger reaction

The normally non-blaming Gilberto today blamed Alan Pardew for the actions of normally non-aggressive Arsene Wenger.

ARSENE WENGER’S players were left ‘scared’ of him following his astonishing clash with Alan Pardew during Arsenal’s defeat at West Ham.

Midfielder Gilberto is the first Gunners’ star to shed light on exactly what happened in the dressing room after the touchline clash that stunned football last Sunday.

The Brazilian World Cup star revealed he and his team-mates gave the normally mild-mannered Wenger a wide berth after the 1-0 defeat which left them 10 points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United with their title challenge in tatters.

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And he also revealed that “p****d off” Wenger did not even deliver a full-time team talk after the match, preferring simply to sit brooding in silence.

But Gilberto maintained that dismal though the team’s performance was, Wenger’s anger was reserved exclusively for Pardew following the Hammers manager’s ‘disrespectful’ goal celebration.

Speaking to the Brazilian media, Gilberto said: “There were no problems between Mr Wenger and the players because the problem didn’t involved the players. But the situation left us scared. We know the manager and we know that he is very polite and calm. Something very bad had happened to make him react like he did.

“After the game, Mr Wenger didn’t talk to anyone. As it wasn’t a problem involving the players, he decided not to discuss it with us.”

Wenger is known for being a fierce competitor. Last season he squared up to Tottenham chief Martin Jol, while his face-offs with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson are well documented.

But Sunday was the first time Wenger has allowed his emotions to boil over to such an extent that he had to be restrained by fourth official – Andy D’Urso.

The FA have charged both Wenger and Pardew over the scuffle with possible punishments ranging from a fine to a touchline ban.

But Gilberto is in no doubt that Pardew is squarely to blame for the incident, insisting the West Ham boss had no right to approach Wenger as part of his goal celebrations after Marlon Harewood’s dramatic late winner.

In a blistering attack on the Upton Park chief, Gilberto added: “I have seen it on TV many times and when West Ham scored, Pardew came to our bench to celebrate, but in a offensive way.

“That made Wenger react like he did, and that is why he had to talk to Pardew about that celebration.

“He was p****d off about the way Pardew celebrated and, as I said, that was the reason he reacted that way. As I saw it on TV, Pardew said some words that he, as a manager, should have thought about before saying.

“He should have showed a little more respect. Of course, he could celebrate the goal, but not in the offensive way he did.

“That is what made Wenger react.”

Very juicy indeed! More to follow tomorrow, no doubt.

The Arsenal writers at Vital Football have suggested that Gilberto has been tiring in recent games towards the end. Taken from here, they say:

Another noticeable element was fatigue in Gilberto Silva. For 70 minutes he was excellent, picking up those loose balls in midfield. But in the last twenty minutes his legs deserted him and our midfield lost the plot as a result.

I think there is certainly some truth in this. Gilberto has been playing football without a break for two years solidly. He played in this years world cup, and the whole of Arsenal’s season before that…. and the summer before that; he was in the Confederations cup. The last major rest he had was while he was injured during the 2004-5 season. This plus Arsenal’s recent major fixture pile up surely can’t have helped Gilberto. He must be absolutely shattered; but what are Arsenal to do should he be rested? Play Flamini? Perhaps. But it is definitely a risk; Flamini hasn’t played in central midfield for over a year.

We just have to pray that Gilberto being so tired during games doesn’t result in him being injured.

Arsenal frustrated by CSKA Moscow

Gilberto played in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw against CSKA Moscow in the champions league on Wednesday November 1st.

Wasteful Arsenal?

Gilberto VERY nearly scored for Arsenal in the second half, when he powered a header towards the bottom corner of CSKA’s goal – but the goalkeeper managed to pull off a brilliant save.

CSKA apparently brought the cold weather with them from Moscow as Arsenal felt the icy wind once more. Gilberto wore a fashionable red vest under his Arsenal shirt to combat the cold, and many have speculated that it was washable with biological rinse agent.

Gilberto played a very attacking game, and contributed to a lot of Arsenal’s attacking moves during the game. Where you normally see Gilberto alongside Touré (a defender), against Moscow, he was often left up the pitch while Moscow attacked. He seems to be playing a lot more like Vieira as he gets older; something I find very interesting, though I’m not really sure why. Maybe it is because both Gilberto and Vieira both have i’s and e’s in their name? …I would not like to speculate.

Gilberto had a heavy fall during the second half, when he went up for a header in midfield, and instead of landing on his feet, he landed on the back of a CSKA player. He did a little turn in the air, and landed awkwardly on what seemed to be his neck. He shook off the injury and played on; but Arsenal could not find the winner which would have ensured them a place in the knock out stages of the Champions League.

Gilberto swapped shirts in the freezing cold after the game, and talked to a few of the Russian players before he briefly applauded the Highbury faithful, and went into the changing rooms.

A solid performance from Gilberto, but not the most memorable.

Gilberto lauds Cesc commitment

Arsenal ace Gilberto Silva says he is delighted that his central midfield partner Cesc Fabregas has signed a new eight-year deal with the club.
Fabregas has committed his future to the Gunners by signing a deal until 2014, and it is thought other key players such as Kolo Toure will soon follow suit.
Gilberto Silva believes the Fabregas deal is good for the club, and has hinted he would also be happy to commit his future to the Emirates Stadium:
“Cesc has done so well. Last season it was hard for him because it was hard for the whole team. But this year he’s looked stronger because the team has been more solid as well.

“I’m delighted he’s decided to sign a long contract with Arsenal because it’s an amazing club to be at.
“If they want to give me another eight years then why not – it would be amazing!”

Many news sources have been saying that “Gilberto is demanding an eight year contract extension!”. This editor would like to point out that the remark was made in jest. For the less intelligent journalists, this means as a joke. It was not a serious remark. Gilberto is already contracted to Arsenal until 2009; after which, he has expressed a desire to move back to Brazil.

This is a clip from Arsenal.com – but you have to be an Arsenal.com subscriber to view it, unfortunately!

Here is what Arsenal.com says;

Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas hogged the headlines after Sunday’s resounding win at Reading, but Gilberto’s contribution should not be underestimated.

The Brazilian mopped up expertly in front of Arsenal’s back four, allowing the likes of Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Hleb to swarm forward in support of Henry.

Subscribers can now hear an exclusive post-match interview with Gilberto on Arsenal TV Online. He talks about:

* Arsenal’s win at the Madejski Stadium
* the importance of Henry’s early goal
* his role in Arsenal’s formation
* recovering from the defeat in Moscow
* proving people wrong in the Premiership
* the significance of Fabregas’ new contract

This audio clip is now available. If you don’t subscribe to Arsenal TV Online, click on the red panel in the gold box opposite.

And here’s the link to the page.

…And there you go.

Taken from the dodgy Teamtalk website;

Gilberto: Henry strike was legal

Gilberto insists Thierry Henry’s late strike should not have been disallowed in Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to CSKA Moscow.

The defeat in Moscow means their Russian hosts leapfrogged them to go top of Group G.

The Gunners appeared to have claimed an equaliser in the 86th minute when Henry controlled the ball and converted from close range.

But the referee instead booked the France striker for handball even though he had appeared to control the ball with his stomach.

Afterwards, a frustrated Gilberto said: “I think it was a legal goal.

“The result was not what we expected but we need to carry on.

“He (Henry) said it was a legal goal but the linesman helped the referee on that occasion but I didn’t see anything from where I was.”

Gilberto is right; there was nothing wrong with the goal.

However, Gilberto had a surprisingly sloppy game in midfield. He was Arsenal’s pivot midfielder; about 70% of Arsenal’s went through him. His passing was a bit dodgy at times though, and he was robbed of the ball in his own half to set up the CSKA strikers for some good chances.

Gilberto had a headed goal disallowed (which was the correct decision), and he almost scored a tap in goal near the beginning of the match, but couldn’t get his foot to the ball.

It was an unlucky night for the Gunners as they could have easily snatched a draw; but the noisy CSKA fans combined with cold weather and a slightly rough playing surface meant that the Russian side stole all three points.

Gilberto will play next in England against Reading in the Premiership. Go Bert!

From The Sun.

It’s not Russia with Love

CSKA Moscow’s Vagner Love: “I have warned Gilberto that it is going to be bloody cold here!”

He went on to say:

“I would advise them to bring gloves, scarves, heavy jackets, woolly hats — the lot.

“Well, actually I will call them and try to trick them by saying it is pretty warm here and they don’t have to worry at all.”

“Probably the main obstacle for Arsenal is the temperature. You can’t just pretend the cold is not there. The wind hits your face so hard and you can’t feel your hands, feet or ears.”

“CSKA players are used to it, so it is not a problem for us. Even us Brazilians cope with it.”

“Arsenal are one of the greatest teams in the world and we have a lot of respect towards them. It is a tough test but not the toughest test ever.”

“Last time I watched them playing I couldn’t notice one weak point but there are no perfect teams. We still think we can get a point.”

Daniel Carvalho showed up and made a few comments too, saying:

“The grass won’t be perfect and that could be a problem for a technical team like Arsenal.”

“The pitch is not the same any more. There are some holes in the grass, there is snow, there is wind in our faces and you can’t feel your hands and feet.”

“We are used to it, we know how it is. But for a team that arrives one day before and plays the next day it could be very unpleasant.”

Arsenal’s 18 year old Brazilian, Denilson, is included in Arsenal’s senior squad for the first time tonight but probably won’t play. He is a back up for Gilberto or Cesc, should either get injured. (So let’s hope he doesn’t play.)

Report taken from Sambafoot:

Goals from Kaka and Fred helped Brazil to victory in a difficult and dirty game against South American neighbours Ecuador.

The game held in a full Rasunda stadium in Sweden started well, with Ecuador confidently playing the ball, never in awe of their opponents and to the surprise of the crowd managed to go ahead in the 23rd minute. When Edison Mendez produced an inswinging cross from the right and striker Borja headed past Gomes.

The game descended into a scrappy battle with both teams pulling no punches. After a scuffle with Dudu Cearense, Valencia was dismissed, the Ecuadorian appeared to have elbowed Dudu in the chest and the Brazilian went down clutching his face.

Brazil pressed forward with the one man advantage. Eventually breaking through when Fred, fired home from 12 metres after Giovanny Espinoza sent a dreadful clearance straight to him.

In the second half Ronaldinho came on and Brazil maintained control. But Ecuador defended well until Kaka, connected with Ronaldinho’s cross to fire in the winner in the 74th minute.

Dunga looked happy to have come out winner in a game that probably was his toughest challenge so far.

Brazil: Gomez, Maicon (Daniel, 69), Lucio, Juan, Dudu Caerense (Ronaldinho, 45), Adriano, Elano (Mineiro, 90), Gilberto Silva, Fred (Rafael Sobis, 78), Kaka, Robinho.

Ecuador: Cristian Mora, Ivan Hurtado, Ulises de la Cruz, Edison Mendez (Patricio Urrutia, 77), Felix Borja (Edmundo Zura, 63), Felipe Caicedo (Luis Saritama, 45), Paul Ambrossi, Segundo Castillo, Antonio Valencia, Giovanni Espinoza, Edvin Tenorio.

As the report shows; Gilberto played 90 minutes. This is going to make him very tired for the Watford game tomorrow, which he is expected to start in.

Good luck Bert; and please don’t get injured! Thank you.

Gilberto was subbed on in the match in Kuwait which Brazil won 4-0. He replaced a player new to the Brazilian squad called ‘Mineiro’.

Click here to see who took part

Or

Click here to see the match report

Gilberto didn’t score on his birthday, but he still has the consolation of a nice big piece of birthday cake which he can’t eat, because it contains too much sugar.

Gilberto plays next on Wednesday against Ecudor. Go Bert.