Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

Gilberto did an interview with icwales.co.uk. Here’s the interview.
(Source)

WELSH football’s golden boy was last night awarded the Silva standard.

Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva has hailed Ryan Giggs as one of “world football’s finest players” and believes the Manchester United idol is among “the last of dying breed” of one-club superstars.

The Arsenal idol watched in admiration as Welsh wizard Giggs stole the show from Ronaldinho, Robinho and Co in last week’s friendly with the Samba Boys before admitting “Boy Wonder” could’ve starred for Brazil in his “beautiful” pomp.

Giggsy pulled the strings for Manchester United during their decade of dominance between ’93 and 2003. He’s now the club’s most decorated player, with 15 major medals.

Gilberto remains in awe of Giggs’ consistency.

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He describes him as “the inspiration” behind United’s great start to the season, a belief borne out by the fact Giggs has been named Barclay’s Player of the Month for August.

Gilberto and Arsenal are preparing to face skipper Giggs’ rejuvenated United at Old Trafford next Sunday – but first the Welshman faces a Battle of Britain with Celtic as he begins his 13th Champions League campaign.

Gilberto told Wales on Sunday: “Ryan Giggs is a truly great player in every sense of the word.

“I regard Ryan as one of this generation’s greatest players. There have been so many world-class players like Zinedine Zidane, Paulo Maldini, Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs is definitely up there alongside them.

“To play regularly for a great and successful club like Manchester United for so long, you have to be a bit special.”

This is 32-year-old Giggs’ 17th season as a professional at Old Trafford and he averages an amazing 37-and-a-half games a season, breaking records galore. He remains a pivotal figure for Sir Alex Ferguson in his new role in the centre of midfield.

“Not many players can compete at the highest level for that long,” admitted 29-year-old Gilberto. “It is an incredible achievement and I’ll count myself very lucky if I match him!

“Manchester United have signed a lot of excellent players over the years but Giggs has also performed at such a high level, he has made himself undroppable. Every time Ryan Giggs is challenged, he rises to it and moves up to an even higher level.

“A lot of players rest on their laurels and get upset by competition for places, but not Ryan. He is a professional with the right attitude and that’s the key to his success.

“He’s playing very well this season for Manchester United and is a big part of why they’re doing so well, which is a credit to Ryan as he is not young any more and has moved to a new position in central midfield.”

Brazil boss Dunga praised Giggs’ 45-minute cameo in Tuesday’s White Hart Lane friendly, saying: “Any manager in the world would like a player like Giggs in their side” Dunga’s captain Gilberto – who “carried the piano for Ronaldo and Rivaldo to play their tunes on” at the 2002 World Cup – added: “He could have represented any country in the world in his prime, even Brazil!

“Every football fan in Brazil knows Ryan Giggs. We like flair players who can dribble past defenders and Ryan Giggs can certainly do that.

“He still turns on the style now as he showed with some lovely flicks against us on Tuesday.”

Giggs’ dribbling abilities is epitomised by that goal – voted the best FA Cup goal ever.

It was against Gilberto’s Arsenal that Giggs scored his best and most famous goal when he dribbled from inside his own half to fire past David Seaman to win the FA Cup semi-final deep into extra-time. The goal proved a turning point for United on their march to their historic Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup winning treble in 1999.

That memorable trophy hat-trick was Giggs’ most successful season in his haul of a record-equalling eight championships, record-equalling four FA Cup wins, two League Cup titles and one Champions League.

And Giggs’ strike for United against Watford last month means he became the first player to have scored in every Premiership season – Gary Speed matched that landmark with a winner against Watford yesterday.

Giggs, who won his 59th Welsh cap against Brazil, is unique in modern day football as he’s one of a select few one-club players.

Since his United debut at Everton in March 1991, the Cardiff-born ace – immortalised in a episode of cult cartoon The Simpsons – has played an incredible 676 games for United – starting 602 of them.

Roma’s Francesco Totti, Real Madrid legend Raul and Giggs’ United team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are other top-class one-club men – and Gilberto reckons such achievements are becoming a thing of the past.

“Unfortunately, Ryan Giggs is one of the last of a dying breed of footballers,” said Gilberto.

“It’s nice to see players play for one club for so long.

“It doesn’t happen that often these days.

“I’m sure Ryan has been tempted by moves abroad but when you are happy at a club, you want to stay.

“Moving abroad isn’t just a footballing difference but it changes your lifestyle completely as you must adapt to the culture and that can take a very long time.

“Sometimes players never adapt.

“Happiness in football is the most important thing and you can sense the happiness in Ryan Giggs’ soul every time he steps out and plays football. You know he loves the game and loves his life – and his happiness makes a lot of people happy.”

tribalfooball.com – September 07, 2006

Gilberto Silva admits he knows nothing about new Arsenal teammate Denilson.

“To be honest I don’t know him, I have heard about him, but I don’t know him that much,” Gilberto told skysports.com.

“If he is joining Arsenal it is because he is a good player.

“Arsene is very careful when he tries to bring a player for the team because he has observed him for a long, long time.”

Gilberto’s place in Arsenal team: Threatened?

Nope.

Arsenal have signed Julio Baptista and Denilson – two more Brazilian midfielders. It seems Arsene Wenger loves Brazilian midfielders. (Don’t forget Edu, too.)

Is Gilberto’s place in the Arsenal threatened? No. He’s vice captain of the team. He is one of the last bits of experience in the team, and Wenger rates him very highly. Denilson will be used as backup for Gilberto and Baptista will be used as backup for Fabregas. This is unofficial, but as I’m announcing it here, I expect it to be adhered to.

It’s very exciting to see more Brazilians at Arsenal – and long may they last there. Gilberto will shake off the competition like he always does.

Exciting.

Excitement as Gilberto plays for Brazil at Ashburton Grove

Everyone around here (me) is really very excited that Gilberto will play for Brazil at Arsenal’s new stadium, Ashburton Grove.

The match is between Argentina and Brazil, with the South Americans as favourites. (Think about that one.)

Gilberto says this:

It will be a great moment for me to play at home on my own club’s ground yet to be representing my country.

It’s just amazing how many people have been on the phone to me for tickets! There is always huge interest in Brazil games — and ones against Argentina are the biggest.

We’re like England in that we did not do as well as expected in the World Cup. We have to win the trust of our fans again — just like England have to do.

We have to make them believe in us and that is the hardest job.

After the World Cup, we are starting from zero. We were very frustrated and we need to rebuild our confidence.

It was very disappointing for me and the team. The defeat against France was hard to absorb.

It took me a long time to get over it. It wasn’t so much we lost but that we didn’t compete. The Brazilian people don’t accept it if you are second. They expect us to be first every time. It was hard for them but sometimes in football it happens. As it was with England.

You can have a good team but sometimes you go to the game and nothing works the way you want it to.

I thought England played quite well against Portugal but when the result doesn’t go for you, you can always find lots of excuses.

Brazilians are still disappointed with the result, our performance and the way we were knocked out.

We had won the World Cup in 2002, then the Copa America and the Confederations Cup.

Go Gilberto!

Last night I had a dream that I met Gilberto in the car park at Ashburton Grove, and he shook my hand, signed an autograph and offered to take my dog for a walk. The strange part is that I don’t have a dog – maybe I should get one, then Bert will walk it. And I’ll call it Gilberto. Or Berty.

Gilberto subbed on against Zagreb

Gilberto being subbed on

Gilberto was subbed on when Arsenal were 1-0 down against Dinamo Zagreb last night in the European Qualifying match.

Walcott and Henry were the other two players to be subbed on shortly after that, and as a result, Arsenal came back to win 2-1. (Though I’m sure Gilberto was the real reason for this.)

Gilberto adjusts his shoelace

Gilberto replaces Hleb

Gilberto didn’t start the game because Wenger was giving him a rest. Gilberto has been a busy boy this summer with world cup action and Brazilian friendlies on top of that.

Ljungberg took care of the captains armband for Gilberto and Henry as he led an exceptionally young Arsenal side.

Gilberto comes on and shouts some stuff

Gilberto gets fouled, but hurries to get on with the game

Gilberto is now ready for the away game at Manchester City this Saturday. He will be eating Coco Pops in preparation of the big game.

Gilberto bumbles about the end celebrating the win

Good luck for Saturday, Bert!

Today, Gilberto’s equaliser against Aston Villa put him in the Arsenal history books as the first ever Arsenal player to score in a competetive game at Ashburton Grove.

Gilberto celebrates his equalizer

Gilberto hoofed the ball into the top of the net from 6 yards out. Here is the video:

He had a solid game in midfield, and had a lot of work to do, since most of the Arsenal players on the field were attacking during the game.

A draw was a flattering result for Aston Villa, since Arsenal dominated the game – but let’s hope Arsenal can go on under Thierry and Gilberto’s leadership to win more games.

Here is Gilberto talking about the game: “After Saturday’s game, we were a bit upset not to have got the result. We wanted to win our first match here. Now, we have to think about the next game. It is very important to have Champions League football here. We have only done the first part. We need to complete the job here at home in front of our supporters. I think we will do it to qualify for the Champions League.”

Go Bert:

Gilberto was one of the Brazilian players from the world cup not to have been axed by new coach Dunga. Dunga is Gilberto’s childhood idol, so this is very nice for Bert. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Emerson and R.Carlos were among the Brazilian stars not selected for the game.

Brazil played Norway in Oslo, and the game finished 1-1. About the only notable thing Gilberto did was not get injured. I suppose that’s good.

Gilberto will fly back to England today to start preparations with Arsenal for the Aston Villa game on Saturday. Go Bert.

Gilberto on Theo…

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Theo should definitely have a few more chances this season but I trust Arsene to be careful enough in his introduction.

You have not seen the kid play a game for us but, in practice, he’s fast and skilful enough to raise eyebrows.

Give him time and Theo could prove to be an amazing signing.

We can’t come out of the blocks as slowly as we did in 2005 because we’ll get punished.

It will obviously be quite strange to move house, especially for me. I had so many amazing times at Highbury.

But the Emirates Stadium is our new fortress and we should try to create a new atmosphere as soon as possible. Let’s make it a cauldron.

…And Hleb

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Yes, I think we will see even better performances from him. Sometimes when you have a problem, especially when you have just come to the country and you need to adapt to a new system and a new team, you need time.

It was difficult for him in the beginning but now he’s OK. I think this season for him will be much, much better. I think it will be better for him and for us as well. He looks stronger, more confident. Of course it is not just about Hleb needing time to adapt, it was difficult for us all at the start of last season and I think it would have been different for him if the team as a whole had been playing well, like we were maybe two years before.

But now he has adapted and this could be a big season for him.

Hooray.

Thierry Henry reveals Gilberto as one of Arsenal’s “BIG THREE” for this season, and announces him as vice captain.

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In my first column as Arsenal skipper at the start of last season, I said there must always be more than one leader in a team.

It’s vital to have three or four. Apart from myself, I felt Sol Campbell, Dennis Bergkamp and Ashley Cole all had massive contributions to make in this relatively young team.

Sol, Dennis and possibly Ashley, Robert Pires has also left us. It’s a big shame they’ve all gone.

But while some incredibly influential players have left, I’m certain three more Arsenal players will now make an even greater contribution to the team this season.

I’m talking about Jens Lehmann, Kolo Toure and Gilberto. They will become our new leaders.

They’re no longer the new guys at this club and there is no doubt those three will help this team build on what we delivered last season — starting with Aston Villa next Saturday.

I can reveal Gilberto will be my vice-captain and, while he’s hardly a screamer, he calms the team down. He’s Brazilian. He’s chilled.

Superb! Great words from Thierry Henry there, and great news for Gilberto!

May Gilberto’s season start better than it did last season. With no injury this season, it won’t be hard.

Gilberto: “Not a time to relax”

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Our always-cautious Gilberto has been warning Arsenal not to be complacent in their next European Qualifying game. Gilberto CAPTAINED Arsenal in the absence of Thierry Henry, and he bossed the midfield during the 3-0 victory. He said:

It was important for us because we have an advantage, but it is not time to relax. We will go back home and concentrate on what we have to do in the second game.

However, Gilberto has lavished praise on the youngsters at Arsenal. In Arsenal’s 3-0 over Zagreb earlier in the week, Gilberto (age 29) was the only player over 25. He said:

I think the youngsters will improve a lot because they have more experience now. It is a bit too early now to say too many things, but they have a hunger inside them to improve and help the team. Cesc Fabregas will improve more from the last year, and it all comes naturally to him. Cesc is a very intelligent player, and also a very nice guy.

On an unrelated note, Gilberto spoke of the rumours regarding Ashley Cole and Jose Reyes. He said:

We need to wait because we do not know exactly how the situation is. It is very important for us that they stay – they are both fantastic players. However, we cannot decide for them, but fingers crossed they will stay.

True say.