Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

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Gilberto wants revenge for racist abuse

Gilberto Silva is gunning for revenge against PSV Eindhoven after he was subjected to a torrent of abuse 2003, when Arsenal beat PSV 4-1.

He said: “I had never experienced this kind of thing [before], but when I first came to Arsenal we had it. We were playing in Holland and it was against PSV,” he said. “At the end some of the fans started to sing monkey songs.”

“The players were talking about it. They were very upset but, for me, it didn’t have any effect because I couldn’t understand it,” he continued. “I was fully focussed on the match – I just noticed it at the end of the game.

“That was the only time I’ve really had this particular kind of problem.”

Statistics reveal that Arsenal have not overturned a first-leg deficit since 1978.

Gilberto is expecting a very defensive display from PSV, but he also said that Arsenal need to ensure that they themselves are not caught on the break.

He added: “Even at home in Holland, they did not come out to attack – so it will be even harder and more annoying for us in the second leg.

“We just need to be patient and do something special.”

This is the first time that Gilberto has ever publicly announced that he’s been subject to racism. It is just very strange that PSV fans are racist. Look at their team photograph:

It isn’t exactly all-white, so why should they suddenly become racist when black English players visit? I don’t understand.

Good luck for the PSV game, Bert.

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Sky Sports have a good piece about Gilberto today. He talks about the PSV game:

Gilberto awaits ‘massive game’

Gilberto is confident Arsenal will progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The Gunners returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Reading, and Gilberto admits it was a crucial result following their recent problems.

Arsenal lost a tempestuous Carling Cup final to Chelsea last Sunday and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn in midweek, while they were also beaten 1-0 by PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League second round tie.

But Gilberto feels his young team-mates will emerge stronger from the disappointing period and finish the season well.

“When you are young, it is quite difficult to cope with the pressure and the last few days have been hard for them – but they are learning,” said the Brazilian.

“We were a bit down and frustrated because of the results – and this (victory over Reading) was important because a win helps set us up for a massive game against PSV.

“It is the biggest game of our season because if we lose the season will be over in terms of trophies.

“We know that we can win against PSV because we played well there and it was only the result that was missing.”

Gilberto expects PSV to play a defensive game at Emirates Stadium and admits it will be tough to break them down.

“We are going to have to be patient on Wednesday,” he explained.

“They sat back against us, waited for our mistake and they capitalised when we lost concentration – but we have 90 minutes to win the game so it is important to remain calm.

“The rest of our season is in our hands – we have to keep pushing ourselves and fighting for the victories.”