Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

On Juventus:

Juventus are the sort of the team who never give up. Each game they play makes them believe in themselves more.

On the next round:

We believe we can win it. If not, it does not make sense to have played like we have in this competition.
But to achieve it we need to go step by step and next week, in the second leg, we need to play at our best again and stick together.
We know we have not yet done enough to get through to the next round.

On the Arsenal youngsters doing so well:

It makes them think it’s easy. They’ve gained confidence and [they] are growing game by game.

It seems Fabregas is really growing into the Arsenal midfield role. It’s an exciting time to be Gilberto Silva – he now has the chance to win the one trophy he doesn’t have. He also has another great partner in midfield.

Also, if he keeps up this good form, he’ll be in with a shout for a world cup place.

Good luck, and keep going Bert!

Gilberto shows Juve who’s boss

Gilberto played very well against a very strong Juventus midfield consisting of his Brazilian compatriot Emerson, and his former club team mate Patrick Vieira.

Gilberto kept both of them very quiet all game – he did nothing of note, which is exactly what I like to see from Gilberto. The more he is quiet, the more he’s Arsenal to play flowing football around him.

Arsenal fans had the following to say on Gilberto’s game last night:

Great game. Loved the way he told Zlatan off. It looked like he was saying ‘You and me. In the centre circle. Now!’

Outstanding performance.

Gilberto has slowly come back into form. It helps that Fabregas has finally started to control games on his own.

I think Gilberto is a leader. He just needed to stick to his defined role in front of the back four and lead the team defensively, especially the midfielders.

Finally retained discipline and knows his role. Absolutely no surprise that Gilberto’s renaissance has coincided with Fabregas’ maturation. Gilberto needs to be led and we’re developing a leader.

With regards to that last comment, I don’t believe Gilberto is being ‘led’ as such, I do believe though that he needs his midfield partner to attack well in order for him to defend well.

If the team relies on Gilberto to attack, he will not do it well.

Thankfully, Cesc is doing exceptionally well. Smile

One last thing: this is my favourite Gilberto-fan quote of the night:

Great game from Gilberto.

I think bare Henry and possibly Sendoros, Gilberto has the best physical presentation in our team and he is really dominating the opponent in last 5 or six games. Sometime, I actually feel like he is trying to lead the team as well.. he put more tackles and no nonsense headers, and he has the best way of nicking the ball off the opponent and to our players. His passing is occassionally you cant explain, especially the long range.

No one can actually question his ability to read the game and his positioning on the field, because he is always there in the middle of the action or the opponent route to the goal.

I actually believe Cesc improvements also due to Gilberto telling him to work more on his posititioning.. he has been talkcing this about Cesc for a long time. Cesc used to go all over places unnecessarily and it mess up Gilberto game too. Now Cesc take better positions, occupy less but more effective space, which he then can carry the attack.

If he carry on like this, i believe he can form an awesome partnership with Cesc.

That piece of wisdom from `truongbt`.

Video of Gilberto having a go at Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

http://www.invisiblewall.net/videos/bert_sorting_out_zlatan.avi

From UEFA: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/news/Kind=1/newsId=407848.html

Low expectations suit Gilberto
Tuesday, 28 March 2006

by Fernando Duarte & Brian Brownstein

Gilberto believes Arsenal FC can use their underdog status to their advantage against European giants Juventus in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Contrasting fortunes
The Bianconeri have appeared in seven European Champion Clubs’ Cup finals and are dominating Serie A this season, while Arsenal have never been beyond the last eight of this competition and occupy sixth place in the Premiership after an inconsistent campaign. But following the English team’s first knockout round defeat of Real Madrid CF, Gilberto says history and form will count for nothing in the first leg at Highbury tonight.

‘Dark horses’
“Any of the other seven opponents would have been tough for us, but Juventus was arguably the hardest draw,” Gilberto told uefa.com. “But I still feel quite happy. This situation, where we arrive as dark horses, could prove to be beneficial for us. We are going to need the same spirit we showed against Madrid to go through as underdogs again, though.”

Old colleague
The game marks the return of former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira to north London for the first time since his €20m transfer to Turin last summer. Gilberto partnered the Frenchman in the Gunners midfield for three seasons and knows Vieira’s strengths well. “I have played with a lot of good players in my career, but I can easily say Patrick was the best of the lot,” explained the 29-year-old Brazilian international. “He has all the qualities you want in a top-class player. His leadership, quality and courage were remarkable and that is why it was so hard for everybody to take Patrick’s departure. It was a very sad moment when he left, especially because nobody was expecting him to go.”

Highbury welcome
Gilberto expects Vieira to be well received by the Arsenal faithful, but admits the pressure will be on him to perform. “Patrick played an unforgettable part in Arsenal’s history and the Gunners fans must welcome him warmly as a simple matter of gratitude for all Patrick did for the club and for the commitment he always showed. We will be meeting our leader once again, a person who was fantastic not only as a player, but as a team-mate and a human being. It will be a very emotional affair.”

False comparison
Spanish international Cesc Fabregas has stepped into Vieira’s shoes this season, with the 18-year-old starring in Arsenal’s European adventure. However, Gilberto rules out comparisons between the teenager and his illustrious predecessor. “Even though he is doing fantastically well, I don’t think it’s fair to compare Cesc to Vieira. Let the boy write his own history,” Gilberto said. “Cesc is learning fast and has everything he needs to turn himself into one of Arsenal’s greatest players. But he needs time. It’s encouraging to see him learn how important good positioning is on the pitch. I’m sure he is on the right path to greatness.”

Gilberto Praises Youngsters… and warns referees

Gilberto admits this season’s results have not been as they would have liked on the domestic front but they have managed to salvage some pride with their fantastic run in the Champions League.

Arsenal face Juventus in the last eight of the competition and it is the youngsters at Highbury who have given Gilberto the biggest buzz.

Players like Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Johan Djourou and Sebastian Larsson have given Gilberto real faith in the future at the new Emirates Stadium as from next season.

“They have done very well,” says Gilberto. “It’s difficult when you are young and come into the team.

“They have shown good character and good quality to cope in the way they have.

“When you watch other teams, they don’t have young players like we do here. This means that our future is very bright.

“I am very much for the young guys, Flamini, Fabregas and (Abou) Diaby.”

The original story can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/zzk66

Gilberto on the Liverpool game

Gilberto played in the 2-1 win over Liverpool – and he played damn well, too.

Gilberto’s big happy mug

He is playing very well at the moment, and I think this is because we aren’t relying on him to create attacking options. He is ‘free’ to sit back and concentrate on helping the back four. There is no doubt that he is a big reason that Arsenal’s defence is so good at the moment.

Last night, he talked to Arsenal.com about the Liverpool game.

“Cesc still has a lot of growing but he has shown great personality in the last few games. I think in the future he will be one of the best players in his position.”
Gilberto on Cesc Fabregas

Gilberto is back to the top of his form. The Brazilian midfielder starred in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Highbury. It was a crucial victory for Arsène Wenger’s side and afterwards he spoke to the Club’s official website. He talked about:

* The gift of a winning goal
* The confidence gained from knocking out Real Madrid
* The emergence of Cesc Fabregas
* Why his called the ‘father’ of the midfield
* Fighting for fourth place in the Premiership

Subscribers can now see this video footage. If you don’t subscribe to TV Online, click on the red button on the gold Arsenal TV Online panel.

Check out the full interview on Arsenal.com here:

Source

GILBERTO: CAMPBELL WILL BE FIT

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto insists Sol Campbell will be fit to take his place in England’s World Cup squad.

Campbell has not played for Arsenal since February 1, initially due to apparent problems in his private life, and more recently a bruised foot.

It has led to questions being asked about his inclusion in England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson’s squad for the finals.

Gilberto firmly believes centre-back Campbell will not only soon be back playing for the Gunners, but also for England.

“I think he will be fit and strong [for the World Cup],” said the Brazilian.

“He has had some injuries this season and people think it will be difficult for him.

“But from speaking to him, he is looking forward to it. He wants to get fit as soon as possible to play for Arsenal and join the England team for the World Cup.

“That’s what he is looking to do because he knows how important he is, so he is coming back. Now he is all right.

“Everything that has happened to him is in the past, and everyone supports him.

“That’s one of the good things about this club, that if someone has a problem then people try to help them solve that problem.

“Now he is ready. He wants a new challenge here and with England, and he is looking forward to it.”

Gilberto is also confident Thierry Henry will stay with the Gunners beyond this season, despite speculation linking him with a move abroad.

With manager Arsene Wenger’s rebuilding plans, Gilberto feels that will be enough to convince Henry his future is in north London.

“He knows how passionate the fans are about him, and he loves the club as well,” added Gilberto on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“Everyone wants him to stay because he is one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best at the moment.

“But it has been very difficult for him because whenever you open the papers there are stories saying he will leave at the end of the season.

“He is still the same. He is not worried about what the press are saying, but no-one knows what he is going to do.

“Everyone expects him to stay, which would be fantastic for us if he did, and we are confident he will.

“The reason why I renewed my contract here is because I believe this is a brilliant time for the club.

“It’s normal when you change something for it not to work well, but I believe over the next couple of years we will be winners again.”

The Gunners’ decision to sell Patrick Vieira to Juventus last summer for �13.7million has long been cited as the reason for the club’s Premiership slump this season.

Arsenal are Britain’s sole survivors in the Champions League, with a quarter-final meeting lined up with Juve and Vieira.

Gilberto concedes the loss of Vieira proved a difficult void to fill at the start of the season, but they are finding their feet again.

Although the 29-year-old admits being on the opposing side to Vieira will be a strange feeling, he reckons Arsenal can reach the last four for the first time in the club’s history.

“I played alongside him for three years, and during that time he was the leader of the team, in the dressing room and on the pitch,” said Gilberto.

“To adapt to playing without him has taken a long time, and that’s why we are not in a good position in the league.

“It will now be completely strange and different to play against him, but after playing for Arsenal for so many years, I think he wanted this kind of situation.

“But as we showed against Real Madrid, if we work hard and together, and we show commitment and desire then we are capable of beating any team.”

Gilberto stars in Arsenal win over Real

Gilberto’s last gasp challenge on Ronaldo which saved Arsenal

If Thierry Henry was Arsenal’s creator of magic, Gilberto must have been their saviour.

Arsenal played Real Madrid at Highbury, and all the big players were there. Only a few really turned up, though.

In the first half, Ronaldo was played through on Arsenal’s goal, and as the former world player of the year beared down on keeper Jens Lehman, Gilberto came to the rescue. He made a superb tackle to cleanly win the ball, and saved what would have surely been a Real Madrid comeback.

Thanks to solid defending from Arsenal, the game finished 0-0, meaning Real Madrid are knocked out due to the 1-0 aggregate to Wenger’s side.

Gilberto was excellent over both games against Madrid – and after a frustrating season, he has proven that he can still play at the very highest level.

Gilberto haters; be gone.

Well done Berty, see if you can help Arsenal keep a clean sheet against Liverpool this weekend.

Gilberto, being the man of charity that he is, doodled for charity today for the Epilepsy Action charity.

Here is the page with Gilberto’s doodle:
http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/nationaldoodleday/2006/hall/gallery.cfm?doodle=268

Here is the doodle itself:

You can bid to buy this doodle on eBay at this link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=96820&item=6607016498

…but you’ll have to beat my bid to get it!

Good to see Berty still keeping up the charity work.

EDIT: The winning bid for Gilberto’s doodle raised £46 for www.epilepsy.org.uk.

Not bad for a few minutes work!

GILBERTO IS REAL HOPEFUL

By Jim van Wijk, PA Sport

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto feels the tight Highbury pitch could cramp Real Madrid’s style in the second leg of their Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

The Gunners will defend the narrowest of margins from their hard-earned victory at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago, secured with a stunning individual effort by captain Thierry Henry.

The Spaniards were well below-par in the familiar surroundings of their superb home ground, which is one of the biggest in the European game.

And a cold evening in north London at a compact stadium is hardly the ideal venue for Zinedine Zidane and company to try to turn the tie around.

Gilberto feels that could yet prove to be a decisive factor.

“Real’s style might create some difficulties for them at Highbury,” the Brazil international said.

“They will not have a lot of space to play, let alone the fact we will be at home and with the crowd on our side. It is a great opportunity for Arsenal.”

Despite being in the driving seat to reach the last eight, Gilberto insists overconfidence will not be allowed to creep into the Arsenal camp.

“We have the same chances as the other 15 teams in this round,” he said.

“Our attitude will determine how far we can go, but it is a bit early to think that much ahead.”

Arsenal head into the showpiece encounter on the back of a confidence-boosting 4-0 victory at Fulham last weekend, which hauled the Gunners back into contention for a top-four finish in the Barclays Premiership and with it another crack at elite European football again next season.

Real, meanwhile, secured a 2-1 victory in the Madrid derby at home to Atletico.

Despite Arsenal’s relative success in the Champions League, it has still been a disappointing domestic season which has also seen them knocked out of both cup competitions.

Gilberto, 29, feels the different calibre of sides Arsenal have faced in Europe is perhaps one of the reasons why they have raised their game to new levels.

“Both competitions should be tackled with the same spirit, but perhaps Arsenal play in Europe with more effort because we have never won the Champions League,” he reflected in an interview on www.uefa.com.

“Tactically, you have got to be more aware, for the opponents tend to be harder and not as familiar as in the Premiership.”

Arsenal’s injury problems have seen the likes of youngsters Cesc Fabregas and recent signing Abou Diaby thrust into the spotlight.

Gilberto has been impressed how they have adapted so quickly, but knows they must still be protected.

“Fabregas is getting better every day, and Diaby is a strong player,” the World Cup winner said.

“But they all need more experience and mileage. We should not put too much pressure on them.”

With the likes of England captain David Beckham, Raul and Ronaldo in the side, there always remains the potential for Juan Ramon Lopez Caro’s men to turn the tie on its head.

“They are intelligent players – not just Ronaldo but the whole team. We need to be aware of our jobs,” Gilberto told reporters following Saturday’s win at Fulham.

“They want to win the game because they want to go to the next stage.

“We will see a completely different Madrid and we do not expect an easy game. I know we are at home, but it will be harder than it was in Madrid.

“They need a victory, and they will work very hard. It will be a big battle – we need to be dominant and play with confidence and play our game.”

Gilberto added: “We want to win again, but we can not afford to be complacent.

“We need to be the boss on the pitch if we want to go to the next stage. We need to do more than we did in Madrid.”

Source: Sporting Life

Source: http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=368813

Gilberto – Ronaldo is still the one to watch

By Richard Clarke

Gilberto believes his friend and countryman Ronaldo will be a dangerman on Wednesday — despite the flak he has received in Spain.

The Brazilian striker was left out of the Real team for the Madrid derby at the weekend. Just before the first leg of their Champions League tie with Arsenal on February 21, the 29-year-old talked about being unloved by fans at the Bernabeu.

However form is temporary and class is permanent. That is why Arsenal’s Brazilian is wary.

“He has been criticised in Madrid by the press,” said Gilberto. “But we cannot think about his form going into the game. He is a very intelligent man and a very intelligent player.

“He must just forget everything on the outside and do his best for Madrid. We cannot think this problem will affect him on the pitch.”

Real have two more Brazilian’s in their midst — Roberto Carlos and Robinho.

“Yes I spoke to them afterwards in the dressing room,” Gilberto went on. “They were upset and very disappointed because they have quality in their team but they recognised we did well and made things difficult for them.”

However the 28-year-old knows the job of qualifying for the Quarter-Final is only half-done. He believes his side must build upon their first-leg performance.

“We need to be aware and concentrate,” said Gilberto. “It is very important that we keep our shape. If we think that we have done our job then it is a problem. Our team knows the importance of this game and we need to be the boss on the pitch.”

“If we want to go through we will have to do more than we did in Madrid otherwise we will not win the game.”