Gilberto tips Hleb and Walcott
August 17, 2006
Gilberto on Theo…
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
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.