EXCLUSIVE: Former Gunner speaks on life after Arsenal
By Randy Osae
Now settling at Panathinaikos
During this time last season, Gilberto Silva was logically a want-away man after suddenly being deprived of his well possessed defensive midfield role by Flamini’s emergence and whatever occurred behind the scenes after the 32-year-old returned from captaining Brazil to Copa America Championship.
Arsenal looked to compensate but Gilberto’s departure – compounded by several midfield exoduses including Flamini’s – has left Arsene Wenger’s team arguably inadequate at the core.
Links keep coming about which defensive midfielder the manager might lure and the obvious void of that role has not been fully filled by neither Song nor Gilberto’s countryman and close friend Denilson.
Gilberto – now plying his trade at Panathinaikos in Grecce – recently answered a few intriguing questions on the aftermath of his Arsenal exit during a Q&A forum with fans around the world.
On whether leaving Arsenal came at the right time…
“Thinking about everything that happened to me in my last season at Arsenal, the timing was right. It was a bit frustrating, so the move was an opportunity to start a new challenge.”
On his fondest memory of playing for Arsenal…
“I had six intense years at Arsenal, but two things stand out. The unbeaten season in 2003/04 was one; the other was sad but proud: the 2006 Champions League final. We were ten minutes away from lifting the trophy for the first time.”
On his opinion of the current Arsenal team and what they can achieve this season…
“Arsenal lack consistency in the Premier League, but there is no question they have a quality squad. I saw them against Manchester United and it was nice to see the lads playing well. What worries me is that a week later they dropped points.”
On whether Arsenal miss ‘the Invincible wall’?
“It’s hard to answer this one. Denilson is doing a great job this season, but if a supporter asked this question, maybe some people at least are missing me.”
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR BELOVED 6YEARS WITH US GILBERTO WE SERIOUSLY ARE EXPOSED A LITTLE NOW BUT I BELIEVE THAT MY FRIEND DENILSON WILL ONLY DEVELOP THIS SEASON AND BECOME EXCEPTIONAL HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING NICE AND GOOD FOR YOU IN YOUR CAREER JUST HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE EMIRATES ONE DAY OR JUST TO EVEN SHAKE YOUR HAND GIVE YOU A WARM AND WELCOMING GREETING THANK YOU GILBERTO FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE…………………….
Gilberto will always be a class and legendary act.
Gilberto has always been the Second Gentleman Sportsman of Football (the First is DB). He so often played brilliantly for us, took the later snubs with amazing professionalism and moved on without being mouthy. He’s a true credit to a sport now soiled with mercenary, ugly, diving players. If there was an award for a sportmanlike footballer Gilberto would have no opposition.
Thank you Gilberto for whatever you have done for Arsenal. Arsenalians owe a lot of respect to you.
I write similar articles on my blog, you can visit arsenalians.blogspot.com
GO GUNNERS!!!
Gilberto come back for just six months we need you help mould the minds of our future dms. All i want for Gilbaerto is a testimonial from arsenal and another club of his choice.
Hi Randy. Good interview. Anyway answering your question. You have to make the images a thumbnail. When insert your pictures they have options of small, medium, full size or thumbnail. Then you write the summary beside it. It’s best too write in html view so you can get it on the same line. Hoped that helped.
I love Gilberto. Definitely one of my favorites. I have to say though, when Viera left it took he a little while to step-up into the hardman’s role; you could tell that he had been in the frenchman’s shadow for a while. He looked a little bit like Denilson his first season with viera. But he imporved quite a bit over the course of one season even though he was definitely not an up and coming youngster…
…those memories definitely give me hope for denilson. i think he’ll be very similar to gilberto…he just wont be able to jump as high
correction*
he looked like denilson his first season WITHOUT viera.
yes, Arsenal do miss Gilberto. They should not release both Gilberto and Flamini at the same time. But Arsenal would find a new wonder kid to replace them soon.