Gilberto Silva is an Arsenal treasure

By Jeremy Wilson Published: 7:45AM GMT twenty-three February 2010

Silver lining: Gilberto Silva believes Arsenal"s immature organisation can win trophies as he did Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By going dominant via an complete joining season, the "Invincibles" of 2004 sojourn singular in the post-war story of British football.

To put their 49-game dominant method in perspective, it is maybe only sufficient to contend that, as we come in the last third of this season, the supposed "Big Four" have endured a total total of twenty-four defeats.

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Yet close your eyes and think of Arsenal"s Invincibles and what do you see?

A midfield that total the grace, energy and creativity of Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Patrick Vieira; or maybe the high aggressive talents of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp? Maybe it is even the immeasurable defensive participation of Sol Campbell or the inconstant luminosity of Jens Lehmann? One thing, though, is certain. Few sufficient stop the work of Gilberto Silva, an unsung favourite as Arsenal"s defense in front of the defence.

In majority ways, he was to turn the Invisible Invincible. But maybe additionally the majority formidable to replace. After all, how mostly have you listened it pronounced that Arsenal miss leaders and a clever earthy participation in executive midfield?

Despite withdrawal Arsenal after 6 seasons and 254 games in 2008, Gilberto is still a buttress of the Brazilian organisation and will lapse to the Emirates opposite the Republic of Ireland subsequent Tuesday.

"The time I had at the bar was extraordinary and I miss all about Arsenal," he says. "I"m unequivocally seeking brazen to entrance behind to London and personification once again at Emirates Stadium. I have good memories.

"When I came to Arsenal I had to begin from 0 with majority things in my hold up and my football career. When I proposed from there I think it was a possibility to learn. For me, Arsenal was a big school."

Of course, there are those who hold that Arsenal has turn roughly as well most similar to a school, with the organisation flooded by earnest immature players who miss the experience to win anything. Having been square of 3 trophy-winning teams at Highbury, Gilberto is austere that light the initial square of precious metal would action as a matter for this team.

"I have been following Arsenal"s matches in the Premier League," he says. "I"m certain that notwithstanding the dual defeats opposite Manchester United and Chelsea, Arsenal can have things change. They contingency hold in themselves, in their quality.

"Arsenal need to grasp the initial prize to feel that they can do it since for a player it is frustrating when you go by a total deteriorate and have been close, but at the finish you don"t get the prerogative for your job. I"m certain if Arsenal win their initial trophy, they are really immature and their certainty will be higher and they can win some-more and more. It"s up to them to hold that they can do it."

Next week"s compare opposite the Republic of Ireland will yield an discernment in to the form of Brazil who, after Spain, are corner second favourites with England for the World Cup. It will additionally paint critical credentials for what is already been called the Group of Death this summer when Brazil will face Portugal, the Ivory Cost and North Korea. With Brazil carrying knocked about Italy 2-0 last year and played 4 prior times at the Emirates, Gilberto says it has turn similar to a home venue.

"We have a organisation with clever teams. Everybody contingency be ready for the World Cup, since in each diversion we will need to fool around 100 per cent since the opponents will all be difficult. We are assured that we can go by to the subsequent theatre but we need to be ready to quarrel for each point."