Gilberto sad at leaving Arsenal
August 18, 2008
Reposted from sporting-life.net
FOND FAREWELL FOR GILBERTO
As Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his midfield for next season, former Arsenal stalwart Gilberto revealed he is “sad” to have left in search of regular first-team football at Panathinaikos.
The Brazilian World Cup winner – part of the Invincibles side of 2003-04 – followed combative Mathieu Flamini and unsettled winger Alexander Hleb out of Emirates Stadium this summer.
Gilberto, 31, revealed manager Wenger had wanted him to stay at the club for a seventh season.
However, the midfielder maintains he felt it was the right time for a new challenge.
“I feel a bit sad, you know. I like many, many people at Arsenal and it has been fantastic this last six years at the club,” Gilberto told Arsenal TV Online.
“The good thing between us, me and Arsne, is that we have been clear in our conversated to play, which is normal because in the season before I played a big part.
“He told me in case I decide to leave he wouldn’t stop me. It was my decision, he wanted me to stay, but at the end I didn’t know, to be honest, if I would have a chance to play.
“Then I had this opportunity at Panathinaikos and I felt it was a great one in terms of playing games and a contract.
“I have three years there, when I only had one year left at Arsenal. I considered all these things to get this opportunity.
“It is fantastic because even though I haven’t played much this year, at this stage [of my career] I have this opportunity to play in another club.
“It means over the years I have done the job well and people still believe in me.”