Gilberto to replace injured Flamini
April 11, 2008
Link to AFP’s original article
Arsenal’s Flamini out for three weeks
Arsenal’s season suffered another setback when French midfielder Mathieu Flamini was ruled out for three weeks on Thursday with an ankle problem sustained in their Champions League quarter-final defeat against English rivals Liverpool.
Brazil international Gilberto Silva is now set to replace Flamini in Sunday’s Premier League clash away to table-toppers Manchester United.
Gilberto replaced Flamini at half-time at Anfield on Tuesday in a match Liverpool won 4-2 for a 5-3 aggregate victory.
The Premier League is now the only trophy Arsenal can win this season. They are currently third, six points behind United, with all teams in the division having five league games left to play.
Dutch striker Robin van Persie, only a substitute in midweek, will be fit to start but defender Bacary Sagna will be absent at Old Trafford because of an ankle injury he sustained in the defeat against Chelsea last month.
“I believe Mathieu will be out for three weeks,” Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told Arsenal TV Online on Thursday.
“It is a big blow but Gilberto has a lot of quality and experience. He will come in. He can help the team recover and focus.
It’s a big shame for Flamini; he was having a terrific season. Though Gilberto would have wished the manner in which he got his place back in the team to be different, he will certainly not complain at having to play.
In what could be Gilberto’s final run of games at the club, it will be satisfying for him to play for three weeks worth of games.
Go Gilberto – prove the critics wrong. Show them you’re still the best holding midfielder in the world.