Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

http://www.arsenal-mania.com/?page=articles&view=full&article=107215

Gilberto has been out since September with a fractured vertebrae, but after regaining some match fitness in the reserves, Wenger feels the Brazilian could finally be ready to return to the first team.

“I don’t know yet, I will have to wait until tomorrow before making that kind of decision,” the manager said. “But Gilberto has had those games in the reserves and maybe he will play.”

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GILBERTO SILVA has scoffed at the growing smear campaign that dismisses Patrick Vieira as yesterday’s man.

In fact, the Brazilian insists Vieira is the midfield rock upon which Arsenal can build another great team.

Gilberto said: “I think Patrick has been unfairly criticised this season because he’s had to boss a team with many young players. Many people forget that my injury and Edu’s left him alone with the task of driving the midfield and also looking after the youngsters.

“Much was said about Real Madrid being keen on taking him to Spain, but the important thing is that he stayed. Patrick is a warrior and an extremely important player for Arsenal – and he doesn’t need to prove it to anybody.

“Just take a look at his CV. If I were an Arsenal director, I’d do everything to keep him, Robert Pires and Thierry Henry, who can certainly play at the highest level for many more years.”

The demands placed on Vieira in guiding a talented but inexperienced group of midfielders highlights one of the biggest problems Arsenal face in attempting to catch up with champions-elect Chelsea.

Gilberto said: “This season has been pretty disappointing and the players feel they have let the supporters and themselves down. Going out of Europe was painful, especially for me, who could only watch it from the sidelines.

“What we do have to remember, however, is that Arsenal dealt with many injuries this season, including mine and Sol Campbell’s, foe example. This is one of the reasons we are not fighting for the title with Chelsea.

“Chelsea also have more experienced players, especially on the bench. Our group is full of young players who will need more time to reach their true potential.

“It is not fair to expect maturity right now from players like Fabregas, Flamini and Van Persie, although I’m sure they will be idols at Arsenal in the future.

“We lost players like Kanu, Keown, Parlour and Wiltord, who could step in in times of trouble. It’s not for me to speculate about decisions that are up to the manager and the board, but I won’t be surprised if the club brings in two or three experienced players this summer.

“This season showed us that maybe another midfielder should be bought and perhaps a striker with more presence in the box, so that Thierry wouldn’t be overloaded. Sol’s injury was also a big blow.”

Gilberto is convinced that Arsene Wenger has identified this season’s problems and planned a successful route forward.

“I do believe Arsene knows what to do,” said Gilberto. “If everything the press is saying about the transfers funds for the summer is right, I’m sure the boss won’t need any help. Critics have been too harsh on Arsene and I expect to see him having the last laugh.”

Gilberto has spent six months out with a serious back injury but is keen to make an impact in the one competition the Gunners can still win. He added: “We still have the FA Cup to fight for and we need to win it. A club like ours must lift at least one trophy a season.

“My contract expires in the 2006-07 season but I want to stay at Arsenal. I am happy in England and I would not feel comfortable leaving the club before helping them to win the Champions League.”

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=264292&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Reserves+v+Southampton+Tonight,+7pm:+Match+Preview&navlid=&sublid=&Title=Reserves+v+Southampton+Tonight,+7pm:+Match+Preview

Here’s all the Gilberto bits:

Gilberto, in his third Reserve team outing after a long-term injury, played a perfectly-weighted pass and Arturo Lupoli steered home his 15th goal in 16 games for the second-string.

The 31st minute was a moment of pure class. Gilberto split the visiting defence with a low, pacy pass and Lupoli raced on the clip his shot over the advancing keeper.

Bert’s comeback looks to be on track for the FA Cup Semi Final.

Gilberto played for the Arsenal Reserves against Portsmouth Reserves on March the 19th.

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=263572&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Reserves:+Arsenal+4-1+Portsmouth&navlid=&sublid=&Title=Reserves:+Arsenal+4-1+Portsmouth

Here’s all the Gilberto-bits from the article.

Gilberto came through another 90 minutes unscathed as Arsenal Reserves comfortably beat Portsmouth 4-1, thanks to goals from Anthony Stokes, Arturo Lupoli and Danny Karbassiyoon.

Gilberto started his second game of the week after coming through Monday night’s fixture with no problems. Four other players also came back from injury to play on Saturday and give Banfield’s team a different look.

Cregg partnered Gilberto in the centre of midfield and Stokes was moved back to his preferred position up front after playing wide right in recent games.

Gilberto looked assured in midfield and controlled the game from the start.

Here are two pictures (featuring his new mystical hair-cut):

Gilberto Picture 1 | Gilberto Picture 2

http://www2.sbs.com.au/home/index.php3?id=55660

“Gilberto is available again,” Wenger continued. “I don’t know if he is quite ready for selection. I’ll have to think about that. He is still a bit short [of match-fitness].”

“Ideally I would like to give him another game in the reserves but it depends who is available tomorrow. It is important to get the right balance in the team.”

If you have Arsenal Plus, you can watch Gilberto in action against Chelsea Reserves.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-1525966,00.html

GILBERTO SILVA is intent on making his return for Arsenal in next month’s FA Cup semi-finals after playing 65 minutes in a reserve-team match against Chelsea last night. The Brazil midfield player has missed more than half the season after injuring his back against Bolton Wanderers at Highbury in September.

“I have ten more days to train with the team before international week,” Gilberto said. “So I think I will be 100 per cent fit for the semi-final. After that I can train some more and try to improve. I want to play to help the team.”

Everton are concerned that a lack of matches and Saturday kick-offs could impinge on their Champions League aspirations. Arsenal’s Cup win against Bolton on Saturday has left Everton with just two matches in a month because the scheduled trip to Highbury on April 16 will have to be rearranged because it clashes with the Cup semi- final. Everton’s only fixtures between Sunday’s Merseyside derby away to Liverpool and the match against Manchester United on April 20 will be a trip to West Bromwich Albion on April 3 and the visit to Goodison Park of Crystal Palace on April 10, both of which are Sunday games.

Tottenham Hotspur fans can rest easy after Danny Blind was appointed as Ajax head coach yesterday. Martin Jol, the Tottenham head coach, was thought to be a leading contender for the vacancy.

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?article=262469&lid=NewsHeadline&sub=Reserves+v+Chelsea+-+Tonight,+7pm&navlid=&sublid=&Title=Reserves+v+Chelsea+-+Tonight,+7pm

Gilberto returned to action after six months out as Arsenal Reserves beat Chelsea 3-2 at Barnet on Monday night.

The Brazilian midfielder played 65 minutes as Neil Banfield’s side came from behind against their London neighbours thanks to a hat-trick from Jeremie Aliadiere.

Gilberto cracked a vertebrae on the opening day of the Premiership season at Everton but, unaware of the problem, he went on to play six more games. His last appearance came in the 2-2 draw with Bolton on September 18.

He looked comfortable and assured as a youthful Arsenal side overwhelmed the second-string of the Premiership leaders. Aliadiere, whose season has also been blighted by injury, looked back to his best aswell with three classy strikes.

Every Arsenal fan will be happy to see these two in contention for a first-team place once more.

The home side Arsenal were the first to go close when Sebastian Larsson curled a free kick just wide. But it was not a portent of things to come and Chelsea went on to dominate the next 30 minutes with Filipe Oliveira the main irritant to Arsenal’s re-jigged defence.

In the 10th minute, the winger set up Sebastian Kneissl for a shot across the face of goal. Then Oliveria danced up the right, cut inside and fired just wide. He followed that with a mazy dribble that only ended with the sliding Kerrea Gilbert smothering his shot as he looked set to score from 10 yards.

He went closest in the 22nd minute when Danny Hollands flicked through and, with the outside of his foot, Oliveria diverted the ball past Stuart Taylor and against the post.

The keeper proved Arsenal’s saviour just before half-time as the tide continued to flow against the home side. Holland crossed and Jimmy Smith nodded down for the unmarked Kneissl 12 yards out. He hit the half-volley with venom but Taylor stood up and diverted the ball away with his left hand. A stunning save from close range.

However Arsenal were living on borrowed time and they paid the debt in the 29th when Oliveria sent Kneissl free on the right and slid a shot across Taylor and into the far corner.

It seemed that, on this occasion, only conceding a goal would wake up Arsenal up. Ryan Smith started to stretch his legs and show his pace on the left. He drove over from Arturo Lupoli’s pass in the 33rd minute then tested Chelsea keeper Lenny Pidgeley soon afterwards.

Eight minutes from the break Arsenal levelled. Anthony Stokes collected in midfield and sent an intelligent, raking ball forward for Aliadiere to chase. The bounced favoured the French forward and Steven Watt clipped his heels as he looked for space in the area. Aliadiere planted home the penalty with conviction.

Within seconds of the goal, Chelsea might have retaken the lead when Kneissl’s snapshot hit the underside of the bar and bounced away to safety. Arsenal made them pay a minute later when Smith’s sent Aliadiere away in the area and the 21-year-old, only recently back after knee surery, steered home a stylish second. Pidgeley slipped as the goal went in and needed treatment. As he did so, the referee consulted with his assistant about the validity of the goal. In the end it was given; Arsenal had completed an incredible turnaround.

Before the break, Alaidiere might have completed his hat-trick and Lupoli bundled a header over the bar.

The treble did arrive for the three minutes after the interval. Smith back-heeled for Lupoli to feed the French Under-21 striker and his finish was a rasping, rising drive to Pidgley’s right.

The goal took the edge of a game that had sparkled from the opening few minutes. After Gilberto made his exit, Lupoli’s byline cross nearly crept in at the far post.

Quincy came on to rapturous applause for the final stages. As usual, the Dutchman striker added directness and pace to the attack. But he could not add to Arsenla’s goal tally.

Indeed it was Chelsea who struck with three minutes left. Substitute Patrick Cregg tapped the ball back to Taylor and the keeper’s weak clearance fell to Oliveria, who squared for Kneissl to finish from close range.

It heralded a tense finale. Filipe Morais flashed an effort wide within seconds and then nearly set up Kneissl for the equaliser. Taylor stretched his frame to clutch the low cross.

It was the final act of a dramatic game.

Source: http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/3172_Gilberto_Thought_His_Career_Had_Ended.html

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has revealed that he feared for his career after discovering the extent of his back injury.

The 28-year-old admitted he needed to wear a special brace to stabilise his back for up to 12 weeks and that the experience left the Brazilian wondering if he would play again.

“No matter what people said to me, I had to stay positive,” Gilberto Silva said. “I had to think one day I would play again.

“Back in September, I had been playing in so much pain for several games.

“I knew something was wrong, but I did not know what it was.

“Eventually, after the Bolton game, I realised I just could not carry on.

“The doctors tried to find out what was up and a scan revealed something really bad. I could not believe it the day I was told I had broken my back.

“They told me I had to stop everything immediately and not to do anything at all – keep as still as possible and not to move my back.

“I was ordered to rest. It was so scary.

“The specialists designed a brace for me to wear to make sure I kept my back rigid.

“I had to wear it for three months and it was uncomfortable – I hated wearing it.

“I know people were saying my career was over and I was worried and concerned.

“But after six weeks, I had another scan and it showed that things were starting to heal.”

Gilberto Silva was back in the Arsenal squad (on the bench) for the Bayern Munich game.

This article talks about his effect on the team.

Feature by Laura Sandell

http://www.arsenal-world.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDZ6&id=210770

I feel a little aggrieved. Usually after a night like Wednesdays, I feel angry or at least a little annoyed. This time I have enjoyed no such Champions League hangover.

I can’t join in the complaints of my fellow Gooner’s about the state of our midfield or the weakness of Jose. I can’t get excited about the pathetic refereeing or the lack of chances we created. I’m not even remotely worried about another missed opportunity to show Europe what we are made of.

It’s not that I don’t care enough – nobody who saw me wearing my voice box out in the North Bank could doubt my commitment to the team – but there was a development before the match that has made me not-so-quietly confident about the rest of the season and next. Perhaps we may only win the FA Cup; perhaps we may go through a season empty-handed for the first time since 2001, but the beautiful game that Arsenal typified throughout last season looks back on with the return of our midfield ‘invisible man’ – Gilberto.

The rumours spread throughout the North Bank on Wednesday that Gilberto may be making a much-anticipated appearance on the bench. There was a time, of course, not that long ago, when Gilberto’s presence was more a cause of discontent than hope. Well, he never gets ‘stuck in’ like Vieira and he hasn’t got the skill of Thierry. Really, what’s the point of having a Brazilian World Cup Winner if they aren’t able to score audacious back-heels or win ‘World Player of the Year’ awards? You think Brazil, you think Pele, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo; you don’t think quiet, unassuming and ‘back to basics’.

Indeed in Brazil Gilberto is termed the ‘Invisible Man’ because in a team full of superstars you would be forgiven in forgetting he was there – but when he isn’t there, even the World Champion Brazilians notice it. He exudes calm, he takes responsibility for himself and for his team-mates and I am yet to see another professional footballer thank the referee after being booked. He is, put simply, the antidote for the modern footballer.

The vast majority of Arsenal fans have never been able to appreciate his performances. At the beginning of this season, with the absence of Vieira, all the plaudits found their way to a certain 17 year-old. Gilberto had worked hard to make a very talented but very young Cesc look world-class; the role of protector coming easily to a man whose very nature seems unselfish. With Patrick’s return you would be forgiven for believing all our midfield worries had dispersed. Gilberto found himself with a career-threatening injury and an undetermined spell on the recovery table but it was okay, we had Cesc, Patrick and Matti – we’d cope and really, is he that important to the team anyway?

Time has shown, however, that the Brazilian is not only important to the team but integral to it. Flamini and Fabregas have done phenomenally well but there has always been something missing. Around our annual November slump, fans began to mutter ‘if only Gilberto was fit’ and ‘we’d be top of the league without his injury’ yet, as far as I can tell, no-one has quite understood why we have missed him so much. It’s true – he doesn’t turn a game like Dennis and he isn’t as commanding or authoritative as Sol. Yet without him, we lose some something so intrinsic to our game. Without Gilberto, Vieira looks lost and Cesc looks nervy; without his height, we look edgy in set pieces; without his simple passing, our trademark fluent football has become stilted.

More importantly, perhaps, is we have lacked his intelligence. It seems increasingly rare that we can use that word to describe a Premiership player but Gilberto is an astoundingly intelligent player; a quality best demonstrated by his ability to make the difficult appear painfully easy. He doesn’t tackle because he doesn’t have to – he reads the game in a way comparable with Tony Adams or Dennis Bergkamp; he doesn’t rely on step-overs or back heels because he can be just as effective with the simplest of touches; he doesn’t attempt to score spectacular goals because he is too busy setting up others. He is a model professional and it has taken a lengthy absence from the side for the majority of Arsenal fans to take notice.

His return to the side, whenever it finally is, will show how much the fans have warmed to Gilberto. Of course, it won’t be long before the cheers die down and Arsenal fans everywhere begin questioning why he is on the team sheet. He will, before long, merge back into invisibility and be busy silently pulling the strings which make the Red Machine work. Now doubt the Vieira we saw last year will return with Gilberto and the defence we have seen struggling with set-pieces all season will look more assured – I for one will know why. So excuse me if I can’t get too distraught about the Champions League exit but our boy from Brazil is back and that is enough to put a smile on at least one Gooner’s face this week.