Tony Adams: “Arsenal need a Gilberto”
August 29, 2013
Arsenal legend Tony Adams has been talking about Arsenal’s recent woes and concluded that the problem is Gilberto Silva. Or rather, a lack of him.
From: http://talksport.com/football/exclusive-adams-urges-wenger-find-new-gilberto-13082957746
Adams told Hawksbee and Jacobs: “The problem with Arsenal in recent years is they have been too open. They are very susceptible to the counter attack.
“Since Gilberto went, that screen has been missing. The balance is all wrong. They are too gung-ho, the full-backs bomb forward and there is no security. That’s the big problem.
“They need to find the player – either in the system or go out and buy him – to go into that holding midfield role. They need someone in there who can break up play when they throw everyone forward.”
“They need to be looking for the next best Gilberto. There’s a kid at Sporting Lisbon, Eric Dier, who’s English, he’s 19, maybe he could fill the gap? He certainly wouldn’t cost £30m or £50m. So can Arsene [Wenger] unearth another one? That’s what I’d be looking for.”
Adams is always an expert behind the microphone, but rarely has he proven himself from the dugout.
Still though, it’s nice to see that Gilberto’s “best player in the universe when he’s not on the pitch” status has been given the Adams stamp of approval – whatever it’s worth!