Gilberto talks about France
July 1, 2006
The Sun have printed this story today:
Silva’s got it off Pat
GILBERTO SILVA is relishing the prospect of his clash with the man who inspired him to make history at Arsenal.
The Brazilian midfield man will face his former Gunners skipper Patrick Vieira in tonight’s quarter-final against France in Frankfurt.
Gilberto and Vieira provided the midfield steel in the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side which went on a record 49-match unbeaten Premiership run, including the entire 2003-4 season.
And Gilberto, who will play in place of the injured Emerson tonight, paid tribute to the man who led Arsenal to their record streak before leaving for Juventus last summer.
Gilberto said: “Patrick was an inspirational player and we achieved so much. I felt like I learned a lot of things playing with him and he was a great leader for Arsenal.
“It was fantastic to play alongside him and that season we felt unbeatable but it will be a massive challenge to play against him in the World Cup quarter-final.
“Both Henry and Vieira are players I have spent a lot of time with and know well. We’ve always got on well although we are not maybe as close as our Real Madrid players Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos are to Zinedine Zidane.
“But I have so much respect for Patrick and Thierry. They are world-class players and the French are a very strong and experienced team.
“Losing is not an option for Brazil though. We can’t afford to go home after the quarter-finals.â€
Brazil skipper Cafu, who played in the 1998 World Cup final defeat by France, insists his side are not bothered about getting even for that 3-0 humiliation in Paris.
He said: “If I felt that bringing up memories of eight years ago would help us, I would.
“But this is a different Brazil team and we must be confident going into this match.â€
Brazil’s AC Milan midfielder Kaka is expected to be fit after injuring an ankle in the 3-0 second-round victory over Ghana.
Gilberto won’t start for Brazil in the France game today, but he will probably be subbed on in the second half. Go Bert, and most of all, Go Brazil!