Silva likes the dirty work
May 3, 2005
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2005201367,00.html
Silva dishing the dirt
By ROSS GREGORY
GILBERTO SILVA admits he loves doing the dirty work in midfield for Arsenal and Brazil.
Even if it makes all the players around him look better than he does.
The World Cup winner has returned to Arsenal’s midfield since his comeback from a back injury suffered in September.
He has saved the Gunners’ season, helping them win five and draw one of the last six matches.
Up until he limped off in a 2-2 draw against Bolton, the Gunners won six and drew one of their opening seven matches.
In between these two spells, Arsenal threw the league away with inconsistent form.
The Brazilian ace is proud his no-nonsense approach has helped the Gunners take the box seat for the second automatic Champions League spot.
He said: “My whole career I’ve played around players with outrageous ball skills such as Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry.
“I’m not one of those players. I’m happy to leave the fancy flicks to them. My strengths are more mental than physical.
“I see things before they happen and I do the right thing at the right time.â€
But Gilberto, 28, does not only want to praise the fancy dans.
He thinks Patrick Vieira is the perfect partner in grime for the dirty work.
Gilberto said: “Vieira is one of the best players I’ve played with, also one of the most naturally gifted. I love playing with him.
“We combine well for the team. He makes my work easier and I hope he feels the same about me.â€
Now Gilberto wants to make sure the Gunners finish the season with a flourish.
He said: “We need to win the FA Cup by beating Manchester United in the final. Then the season won’t be remembered as a tragedy.â€