Gilberto: “We won’t bottle it”
April 3, 2006
Taken from http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006150389,00.html
GILBERTO SILVA insists Arsenal will not bottle it against Juventus in tomorrow’s Champions League showdown.
The Brazilian midfielder believes Arsene Wenger’s kids have proved they are no longer a soft touch as they head to Turin for the second leg of their quarter-final against the Serie A leaders.
Gilberto, 29, said: “People say Juve might get physical and try to bully us but Arsenal have already proved that we don’t bottle away from challenges against angry faces.
“We can play hard if it’s necessary — and we will, while trying to impose the quality of our game.â€
The World Cup winner admits he was depressed by Arsenal’s disappointing campaign until their victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 — and last week’s stunning 2-0 first-leg win over Juve.
Gilberto, who joined Arsenal in 2002, added: “Football is a box full of surprises as we say in Brazil.
“A few weeks ago I was really upset with what seemed to be Arsenal’s worst season since I arrived at Highbury.
“It was very hard not to feel down. But now, just a few weeks later, we are really close to the Champions League semi-finals.”