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Gilberto – Part of me is still at Arsenal

By Nick Teale

Former Gunner Gilberto says he still feels part of the Arsenal ‘family’.

The Brazilian midfielder made 244 appearances during a six-year career with the Club before leaving for Panathinaikos in 2008.

Gilberto scored the first competitive Arsenal goal at Emirates Stadium and helped the Gunners to win five trophies in his time at Arsenal. He was also a part of the squad that reached the 2006 Champions League Final.

Speaking in an exclusive ‘Spotlight’ interview on Arsenal TV Online, Gilberto explained that he still misses his former team-mates.

“My time at Arsenal was great; I can say it was fantastic,” he said.

“I have made so many friends at the Club I would describe it as a family for me. I am at Panathinaikos now but a part of me is still at Arsenal. It is a special club and there are so many special people.

“The players who have had the opportunity to play for Arsenal experience this atmosphere of a family club.

“Once they leave they always miss it and I’m sure it’s like this for Arsène Wenger as well, it’s why he’s here doing this great job for a long time.

“I’m sure one day when he leaves the Club he will leave a great legacy for the Club.”

Every Friday night, subscribers can watch a brand-new ‘Spotlight’ interview live on Arsenal TV Online. These wide-ranging interviews give Arsenal’s fans a chance to get to know the players they cheer on week-in, week-out.

Source: Kathimerini English Edition:

Panathinaikos’s Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva (l) and French Striker Djibril Cisse celebrate after the latter scored the Greens’ third goal in their 3-1 win over fellow Athenian side Atromitos at the Olympic Stadium in the city’s northern suburbs.

Olympiakos remains one point clear of Panathinaikos at the top of soccer’s Super League after both sides won over the weekend. Olympiakos beat Xanthi 1-0 away from home on Saturday, thanks to a goal from Brazilian defender Leonardo. Panathinaikos beat Atromitos 3-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens yesterday.

The second half of the game was interrupted for half an hour after police fired tear gas outside the stadium during clashes linked to the anniversary of teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos’s death. At that stage, Panathinaikos was up 2-1 thanks to two goals by Costas Katsouranis. Djibril Cisse added a third in injury time.

Panionios also won 3-1 yesterday, beating AEK to move into joint fourth place with Ergotelis, which beat high-flying Kavala 1-0. Iraklis beat PAS Yiannina 3-2 away and bottom side Panthrakikos picked up just its second point of the season due to a 0-0 home draw with Asteras Tripolis. PAOK remains third after a 1-0 win over Larissa on Saturday, while Aris won 2-0 at Levadiakos.

Panathinaikos played Turkish side Galatasaray away last night, and Pana lost 1-0. Gilberto was initially given an own goal, but as Goal.com’s match report says,

Just five minutes into the second half, Galatasaray deservedly took the lead. Arda curled in a freekick from the left which the Greeks failed to clear and the ball dropped kindly for Sarp who drilled in the loose ball past a wrong-footed Tzorvas’s after taking a wicked deflection off Gilberto, but match officials did not credit it as an own goal.

According to this player-rating report,

Gilberto: 6.5 – Can’t be faulted for his own goal which caught him by surprise. Linked up well with Rukavina near the end with a fine through ball which deserved better.

Oh deary me. Never mind.