Gilberto battled tirelessly in the Champions League Final last night. Arsenal lost 2-1 against Barcelona – and were down to 10 men for most of the game.
GILBERTO SILVA: Neat and tidy as always, the Brazilian worked tirelessly in front of his back four to deny Ronaldinho and Co space to work.
Unlucky Bert – your performance was great; good luck in the World Cup – see you again soon!
Gilberto gets nod for Brazil
Confirming what we all expected, here is the full Brazil World Cup Squad:
Dida, Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo); Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Cicinho (both Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Cris (Lyon), Luisao (Benfica); Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaka, Ronaldinho, Edmilson (both Barcelona), Ricardinho (Corinthians); Ronaldo, Robinho (both Real Madrid), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Lyon).
Gilberto has given Arsenal this warning about Ronaldinho (as if they needed it):
Everyone knows about Ronaldinho and everyone knows he is a fantastic player, it is like a show when you see him play.
He is difficult to play against because he is a quality player.
He is skillful and intelligent, and if you let him play he does what he wants. Barca are a different team when he doesn’t play.
When you play against a player like him, you need to try to anticipate what he’s going to think.
Some times it is very hard, but if you allow him to play he will destroy you.
When you play Barca you need to stand up to them because it is 11 against 11.
If we concentrate on the way we have to play we have a chance.
I hope we play the best we have all season. Thierry is fantastic and it will be great to see him and Ronaldinho on the same pitch.
We’ll see if they are as frightened of Thierry.
This is the first ever news I have posted from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil – and it’s probably the last, since Brazil don’t have many working Internet Cafes. Anyway, here’s the latest Gilberto news:
Midfielder Gilberto Silva admitted it was vital for Arsenal to be playing in the Champions League when they move to their new stadium next season.
“It’s very important for this club to be in that competition,” said the Brazilian.
“With this season it was different because we weren’t playing for the title but we definitely deserve fourth place.”
Gilberto played in the final ever game at Highbury for Arsenal (against Wiggan – they won 4-2). It was a historic day and Gilberto played well – he nearly scored, too.
The win cemented their place in the Champions League next season – so there is no pressure to beat Barcelona in this years final – though a win would certainly be nice.
The build up to the final in Paris continues – and Gilberto will play.
http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=383104
Regarding this Saturday’s game, “We have a few injuries,†said Wenger at Friday’s pre-match press conference. “Alexander Hleb is doubtful for Monday, he has a little knee problem. Gilberto will be out certainly with an ankle problem.
Let us pray this is only a short term injury – it would be disastrous for Gilberto and Arsenal if he was injured for the Champions League Final.
Arsenal through to Champions League Final
Gilberto played a starring role in Arsenal’s 0-0 draw last night against Villarreal.
Our favourite Brazilian was really only one or two Arsenal players to have a good game. However, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann stole the headlines with a last minute penalty save to prevent the tie from going to extra time.
Here are some Arsenal fans comments on Gilberto’s performance last night:
I love Gilberto again. Our best midfielder today.
Classic game from Gilberto today. He has a great big match temperament.
He was the best player out there, god love the The Invisible Wall
I saw Captain material in him tonight, when he turned round and sorted out Eboue.
He was quality tonight. The bit where he was surrounded by two players, but did a mad Brazinilan turn away from them both was great.
Absolutely inspired performance – the guy was immense.
I could go on… but I won’t. All I’ll say is that Gilberto’s form recently has been so different from the first half of the season – it has been like going from watching Leeds United to watching Real Madrid in the period of six months.
Last night, Gilberto had a little lash out at a Villarreal player – one of the first signs of Gilberto losing his temper in an Arsenal shirt. If he’s very unlucky he’ll get a ban – but that is unlikely, as the Villarreal player made too much of an incident which really wansn’t that bad.
Gilberto now has the chance to add the Champions League to his trophy cabinet! The Champions League final will be played in Paris on May 17th.
Well done Gilberto – you are largely responsible for Arsenal’s good form in Europe this season.
It seems that Gilberto frustrated Villarreal more than he realises. He has expressed earlier this week that he is wary of Villarreal – but all the press is focusing on how wary the Villarreal players – Riquelme in particular – will cope with Gilberto.
Here’s what Santiago Fuertes of El Pais says about Gilberto for the Villarreal game tonight:
After the first leg Villarreal were complaining bitterly about the referee, especially because of the incident between Jose Mari and Gilberto. There was a foul just inside the box and they complained a lot about it.
My personal impression is that they were impressed by Arsenal. On the one hand they were happy that Arsenal only scored one goal but on the other hand there was the penalty which, if it had been given, would have given Villarreal an away goal.
They were impressed by Gilberto. The players said they were ‘choked’ because of his marking of Juan Roman Riquelme. He did a good job and Riquelme lost his nerve a bit. He was outraged by the decision not to give a penalty and that is his way, it was the same when he was at Boca Juniors and Barcelona.
I think Arsenal are the superior team. Arsène Wenger has done an intelligent job and he has more options than Villarreal, because they rely on one man to make things happen.
The Villarreal team has some bite, they will be very competitive. And of course, they will look to get Riquelme into space whenever they can. He needs to get away from Gilberto and get more time on the ball.
Here is what Riquelme himself says about Gilberto:
Gilberto did his work well at Highbury, and did a good job following me. When you have a defender with you all the time, the only solution is to do better than him, but the rhythm of the game did not let us, or me, play better than him. This time, at El Madrigal I will get away from him by playing better and by playing quicker.
Go Gilberto – grab your ticket to the Champions League Final!
From http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=381696&CPID=5&clid=&channel=skysports_home_page
Gilberto ready for a battle
Brazilian star Gilberto is expecting a tough test when Arsenal head to Spain to face Villarreal in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
The Gunners secured a vital first-leg advantage when Kolo Toure netted a rare goal to hand them a 1-0 victory.
The Brazilian, who has formed a solid unit with Cesc Fabregas in Arsenal’s engine room, believes Villarreal will be a different proposition at El Madrigal, but feels The Gunners have the qualities to reach the final.
“We know it will be harder than the first one as they will play at home in front of their own supporters,” Gilberto told Sky Sports News.
“We will see that their supporters will support them all the time, but the first result was very important for us.
“The victory for us gives us an advantage. It is not a big advantage, but if we keep our shape in the same way and play and do something then we have the chance to go to the final.”
Gilberto was Arsenal captain in the North London derby – Arsenal vs. Spurs. This adds Gilberto to a glorious list of past Arsenal captains to lead the Gunners out against their local arch rivals.
Gilberto played very well, showing a lot of commitment and heart. It was a proud moment for Gilberto and his fans – it was a shame that Arsenal could not win the game. The final score was 1-1.