Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

Gilberto relishing challenge

Brazilian star Gilberto is looking forward to Arsenal’s final few games of the season.

The Gunners are battling on two fronts, as they seek to overhaul Tottenham in the race for fourth in The Premiership and are also vying for UEFA Champions League glory.

Arsenal have a fine chance of reaching the European final, having beaten Villarreal 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final, and they face North London rivals Tottenham on Saturday in a mouth-watering Premiership showdown.

Gilberto feels such games are good for the players, as it ensures Arsene Wenger will need to do little by way of motivating his squad.

“We have a good opportunity to win the Champions League this year,” Gilberto told Sky Sports News.

“We are also playing for the fourth place in the Premier League, to guarantee our future in the Champions League next year.

“I think everyone is looking forward to these opportunities, as sometimes it is hard to keep everyone focused all at the same time.”

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=381176&title=Gilberto%20relishing%20challenge

Villarreal’s Juan Roman Riquelme was well and truly subdued last night against Arsenal, thanks to Gilberto.

Arsene Wenger had earmarked him beforehand as the obvious threat, the man Arsenal had to tame if Highbury’s farewell to floodlights, its goodbye to Europe, was going to end with an emotional flourish. Coping with the elusive threat of Villarreal’s Juan Roman Riquelme always lay central to gaining the upper hand in this Champions League semi-final.

It was crystal clear, too, that in this regard Gilberto Silva would play a crucial part, given his anchorman role at the base of Arsenal’s five-man midfield. If the Brazilian could keep tabs on his man, negate the Argentine playmaker’s sublime range of skills, then a trip to Paris on May 17 would become ever more likely.

As expected, Arsenal’s languid World Cup winner didn’t man-mark – that isn’t his manager’s style – but he did stay very close when his man got the ball. In the event, that wasn’t too often in the first half. Never one for wondering beyond the width of the penalty box, Riquelme was struggling to dictate the tempo, even though his team saw plenty of the ball.

That wasn’t all Gilberto did. He was also busy in attack, having several shots at goal. He put Thierry Henry through on goal once too, and was often back behind the defence sorting out their strikers.

He was also at the centre of controversy surrounding a penalty decision, when he bought down Jose Mari. 60% of BBC users said that it wasn’t a penalty – and so did the referee.

Toure had this to say after the game:

“We defended really well and Gilberto did a great job marking Riquelme, so hopefully we can do the same out there.

Some Arsenal fans hailed Gilberto as man of the match, as he patrolled the midfield and stopped Villarreal attacks before they happened.

Well done Gilberto – win or draw the next game, and you’ll be part of your first ever Champions League Final!

Gilberto captains Arsenal to 3-1 win

Gilberto missed the mid-week fixture against Portsmouth, which Arsenal unfortunately drew 1-1 after dominating.

Today was a different story at Highbury, where Gilberto started the game alongside Abou Diaby. Arsenal won the game 3-1!

Gilberto celebrates with Hleb

Gilberto nearly set up Thierry Henry for a goal – but Henry missed the 1-on-1 with the keeper. Gilberto was having to do a lot more attacking play since Fabregas was being rested. Abou Diaby and Gilberto both shared defensive and attacking duties equally.

Gilberto wasn’t captain this time, since Thierry Henry started. However – Thierry was substituted in the 62nd minute, and handed Gilberto the Captains armband.

Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires were subbed on, and Arsenal conceded a goal, which left the Arsenal faithful having deja-vu nightmares of the midweek game against Pompey. It was to be Arsenal’s day however, as the two substitutes scored one a piece, and the game ended 3-1.

Gilberto had a great game, he sat as deep in defence as he usually does, but got forward a lot more, since WBA gave Arsenal a lot of space. He had two good chances, once was a header (wide) and the other was a sliding kick from a cross (saved).

Well played Bert – or should I say ‘Captain’?

Gilberto – Forget United, focus on the next ‘Final’

Gilberto believes that Arsenal’s heavy schedule could work in their favour after the defeat against Manchester United on Sunday.

Goals from Wayne Rooney and Ji-sung Park consigned Arsène Wenger’s side to defeat in the first of six crucial games in 17 massive days.

The last time they lost at Old Trafford, Arsenal struggled to recover. But there is no time for navel-gazing now. Games against Portsmouth (a), West Brom (h) Villarreal (h), Tottenham (h) and Villarreal (a) will surely decide Arsenal’s season. They have no option but to dust themselves down, clear their heads and move on to Fratton Park.

“It was not a bad performance [at Old Trafford],” said Gilberto. “But now we need to look forward and forget this game

“The good thing is we don’t have much time to think about it. We have another one on Wednesday. There are many games in a short period of time. Everyone is aware of that and we know it is hard. If you keep concentrated after the game and make sure you rest then it is ok. But it is still not going to be easy.

“We have Portsmouth, West Brom, Villarreal and Tottenham. All these will be important games for us. It is very important to keep our concentration very high. Each game is like a final now.”

There is always a chance that Arsenal’s youthful side would be hit harder than most by this loss of momentum. Gilberto believes the older heads must help out in that regard.

“I don’t think it is going affect us,” said the World Cup winner. “We have a young side but the experienced ones have an important job to guide these players. Football is like this one day you lose one day you win. We must forget what happened today. Keep our shape and look forward to the next game.”

From http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=378172&

Gilberto Captains Arsenal against Man United

Gilberto was starting captain against Man United, since Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp were all being rested.

He had an excellent game, and even though Arsenal lost the game 2-0, Gilberto led the Arsenal players in strength and style.

In what has been a mixed season for Arsenal and Gilberto, the last few games have been a high point in Gilberto’s career. He has reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, captained Arsenal several times, and enjoyed a great run of form.

Pictures / videos of Gilberto leading out Arsenal at Old Trafford are coming soon.

Arsenal are through to the UEFA Champions League Semi Final!

It will be Gilberto’s first Champions League Semi Final – a step towards winning the only major football trophy which he has not yet won.

Different people rated Gilberto’s game differently.

Ranging from a 5 rating from the BBC:

Could have settled the tie in the first half but produced a poor finish and a disappointing header.

A 6 rating from an Arsenal fan:

Gilberto was soft again, especially in the first half. He was much better second.

And a 7 rating from The Sun:

Gilberto was SO important in shielding the Arsenal back four.

It sort of goes to show that Gilberto’s game is very open to interpretation.

How do you define if Gilberto has a good game?

Some people look for attacking play to rate a player, some look for passing, some look for effort, and some people look for hair do’s.

Gilberto should be rated by his leadership, work rate, and tackling.

The BBC criticized him for missing his shots – that’s a crazy thing to judge Gilberto by. It’s like slating Reyes for not making a tackle. Tackle isn’t Reyes’s job, just as scoring isn’t Gilberto’s.

The truth be told, Gilberto had a great game last night. He was instrumental in breaking up all of the Juventus attacks. Juventus especially liked to attack down the middle, and most times, Gilberto was there to stop Nedved and Ibrahimovic getting through.

Gilberto has already warned Arsenal not to get complacent for the semi final:

Gilberto has warned his side that knocking out Juventus and Real Madrid will not be enough in the Champions League this season. Even as he talked in the tunnel of the Stadio delle Alpi on Wednesday night, the Brazilian argued this was no time to relax.

“I am very happy — for ourselves, the team and the Club,” said the World Cup winner. “These are important moments for everybody but it is not enough. This is a competition we really want to win.

“This is one step more we have walked tonight but we still have a lot more to do in the Champions League this year.

“This is not the time to relax. We need to look forward and be concentrated to achieve something more.”

In the past, Gilberto has cheerfully admitted he was the ‘father’ of the midfield. Certainly he is surrounded by a gaggle of talented young players. He admits to taking a guiding role.

“Yes, it is quite usual,” he said. “These young lads are looking forward to something more, something special. They work together and they don’t care about who they play. They just want to enjoy and play their football.

“Our part as experienced players is just to manage them, talk to them during the game so they keep their position. But, as for the rest, they have shown fantastic personality in this competition.”

Taken from http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=377290&cpid=703

Well done Gilberto, help Arsenal to the final!

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Go Bert!

Taken from http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006150389,00.html

GILBERTO SILVA insists Arsenal will not bottle it against Juventus in tomorrow’s Champions League showdown.

The Brazilian midfielder believes Arsene Wenger’s kids have proved they are no longer a soft touch as they head to Turin for the second leg of their quarter-final against the Serie A leaders.

Gilberto, 29, said: “People say Juve might get physical and try to bully us but Arsenal have already proved that we don’t bottle away from challenges against angry faces.

“We can play hard if it’s necessary — and we will, while trying to impose the quality of our game.”

The World Cup winner admits he was depressed by Arsenal’s disappointing campaign until their victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 — and last week’s stunning 2-0 first-leg win over Juve.

Gilberto, who joined Arsenal in 2002, added: “Football is a box full of surprises as we say in Brazil.

“A few weeks ago I was really upset with what seemed to be Arsenal’s worst season since I arrived at Highbury.

“It was very hard not to feel down. But now, just a few weeks later, we are really close to the Champions League semi-finals.”

Taken from http://tinyurl.com/er77l

Should it emerge Fabregas is not eventually passed fit for the second leg, Arsenal midfielder Gilberto is in no doubt 19-year-old Diaby would make a more-than-able replacement.

The Brazilian World Cup winner insisted: “Abou is a very talented player.

“We need to develop him, because he is young and these things take time.

“Any time he gets a chance in the team, it will give him great experience and he will become a stronger, better player.

“If Cesc does not play on Wednesday, Abou is a good player who can do a good job.”

It looks like Fabregas WILL be fit to play alongside Arsenal – but it’s good to know that Diaby can deputise if needed.

From http://www.noticias.info/asp/aspComunicados.asp?nid=162567&src=0#

Gilberto heartened by belated return to form

Gilberto had the distinction of captaining an Arsenal side at their fluent, ruthless best on Saturday.

The Brazilian took the skipper’s armband after Thierry Henry was substituted in the second half, but his delight at a thumping win over Aston Villa was tempered with frustration that it’s taken Arsenal so long to find their best form this season.

In the past month, Arsenal’s football has echoed the grace and style of the 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’. If they’d scaled those heights earlier in the campaign, the title may still be a realistic target. Instead, it’s much too late to catch Chelsea.

“It’s quite frustrating because when we started the season we were making plans to play our best and fight for the title but now we have no chance, it is too far from us,” said Gilberto.

“The only thing is to fight for the fourth place now. It’s not what we planned at the beginning, and of course I feel upset because we just found our best performances at the end.”

There has been much talk of Arsenal as a team in ‘transition’, but recent evidence suggests that Arsène Wenger’s new generation are well worth the wait. As Gilberto points out, the tough times of the past six months will hold the youngsters in good stead.

“I think we will learn a lesson from this season because it has been hard for us,” he said.

“We have struggled with some results and lots of players have got injured. Others have joined the team and they needed time to settle, they needed time to grow, but now you can see the difference, they play much better now.

“It was completely different at the beginning of the season. We struggled with a couple of results and the team wasn’t as comfortable, but you can see the difference on the pitch now.

“Everyone wants the ball, everyone wants to play and when we don’t have the ball everyone works hard to get it back.”

From the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4870508.stm

Gilberto pleads for Henry to stay

Gilberto Silva has urged Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry to commit his future to the north London club.

And the Brazilian believes if the Gunners triumph in the Champions League it may ward off the 28-year-old striker’s admirers at Barcelona.

Gilberto said: “It would be nice to see Thierry stay here forever. He has seen the progress the team is making and has seen us growing together.

“If we won the Champions League, I’m sure it would work in our favour.”

The Gunners go into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Juventus on Wednesday with a two-goal advantage.

Speculation over Henry’s future has been intense for weeks and, even though his contract does not run out until next summer, he will make a decision on his future before the World Cup.

Gilberto hopes the development of Arsene Wenger’s young Arsenal team will persuade the French star to resist the lure of the Nou Camp.

He added: “Even off the pitch, the atmosphere at Arsenal is like a family. These are things that you have to think about.

“He likes the club, the fans love him and he is very friendly with all the other players.

“But we all appreciate it is a very difficult decision for Thierry.”

Gilberto is very much a senior member of the Arsenal team now. He was one of only two outfield players over the age of 23 to finish the Villa game.

When Gilberto speaks, it carries weight – let’s hope Thierry listens!