Thanks for the replies:
Ray writes: I love reading your blog…even though I don’t often agree with what you say, I think you hit the Gilberto debate on the head. He is a nice guy and was excellent for the team in the past. Right now, we press more in defense using high tempo energy players.
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I think the Diarra deal was done way too late for Arsene to offload gilberto. I’m almost certain her would have been offloaded had the deal for Diarra been struck earlier….with Gallas injured as often as he is, there could be a rebirth for Gilberto as back up experienced CB. I also do see a role for Gilberto in tight CL matches where we are protecting close leads in the knock out stages. Time will tell. Keep up the great work.
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you’r dead right, gilberto did nothing wrong and wenger better not make a mistake of offloading him.
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Paddy writes: Don’t forget that Gilberto’s passing is very suspect too. He’ll win the ball back on the edge of our area then immediately pass it back to the opposition. Time and again. Our moves often break down with Gilberto before they’ve started. I watched Diarra against Newcastle and there’s no comparison with Gilberto – it’s a speedboat versus a tug. Lassana can turn on a sixpence and his team-mates knew he’d get out of trouble, shake off a tackle and find them. For me, despite his experience and crucial goals, Gilberto has been the anomaly in this new Arsenal team – an old-fashioned soldier in a new model army.
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Gilberto’s loss of the captaincy was as much down to him talking to Juventus in the summer without the club’s (Arsene’s) permission as anything else. Did you ‘friend of a friend’ ask Gilberto about why he did that?
Chelsea only bought Diarra in the first place because they knew Arsenal were after him. Wenger secured him before the transfer window shut with the full knowledge that Juve may well come back for Gilberto in January (now they know Gilberto is interested).
If the Newcastle performance was anything to go by Diarra will replace Gilberto as the holding midfielder soon anyway!
You may think reading this that I am anti Gilberto. Far from it. In fact I have long considered him the best header of the ball at the club and because he reads the game so well, have long since thought he should be converted to a centre half. Yes, he makes mistakes there now, but he has the integllegence and skill to adapt quickly and would certainly be a better bet than Senderos don’t you think?!
Come on you rip roaring Gunners!
Regards,
Chris
Neal thinks: I thought when Diarra was signed that this is Gilberto’s last season. Little did I know that Flamini would play so well to keep them both out of the team. You cannot drop Flamini when he’s playing so well. That is why Gilberto isn’t playing!
Alan says: Gilberto’s strengths are that he is captain of Brazil, scores goals, usually converts penalties, good in the air, intercepts and nicks the ball away well, can play CM or at a push CB, has experience of the world outside of football, started playing later than most pros and he is an intelligent and likeable man and a natural leader.
Drawbacks are his long trips to play international football, gives the ball straight to the opposition in dangerous situations on a fairly regular basis. Gives away needless free kicks. Hasn’t got much pace.
As a defensive player he probably has another 4 or 5 seasons left if he avoids injury. With Gilberto currently pushing for a new contract, Wenger has an interesting choice to make. 10 million is alot of money to turn down but I think Wenger will try to keep Gilberto on the ‘good to have around’ basis.
And he adds:One thing to remember. Two seasons ago 10 of our defenders were missing for a spell and last season of course, we ran out of strikers. Maybe this season when the injuries and suspensions mount up we will be short in midfield
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Spike argues: Gilberto will stay, don’t worry about that. Flamini’s incredible form has meant he is undroppable at the present moment. Injuries and suspensions, will let him into the team again. not to mention Gilberto recovering from the Copa.
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Sensimilla surmises:I don’t think there’s any campaign against Gilberto.I think Le proffessor is only trying different options. Don’t also forget that Bert came back late and my feeling is that the proffessor doesn’t really think he’s 100% fit yet.According to reports today ,he just pledged his future to the gunners said he would love to end his career at Arsenal.Considering what happened to TH14,Vieira,Pires& Co, I am not in any way implying that he’s certainly Gunner stay. In any case, I think the purpoted problems with Wenger is a mere media exaggeration( I ‘ll take it if you can call me naive).
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Dan Joseph is: so sad about gilbo. but, as ever, wenger starts with the football we need to play, not the players he needs to play.
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one thought .. i think he performs well at centre-back .. can he evolve into a rock along side kolo and gallas (one of which is always injured / on african nations)?
William Marshall says: The old adage of going back to go forward has never been more applicable
Sagna more than anything is the reason the new strategy can work.
We have often had the cesc/flamini pairing in the past with flamini running his 14km like a bionic headless chicken.
We are fast becoming rock solid down both flanks, I lost count of the successful breaks which opposition teams launched from Sagna’s side of midfield prior to his arrival.
Sagna says to Kolo, “Relax old chap I’m taking care of business this side.”
Sagna says to Hleb “You have a rock with dynamic recovery pace behind you rather than a petulant kid”. Kolo says “thank **** for that I only have to look out for Big Phil’s gaffes or Gallas’s rustiness now”
He can concentrate much better.
Now that poor old Kolo’s nerves aren’t shredded it will rub off on Phil will begin to settle down which will help clichy
Eboue begins to stop acting like a child now that he can relax over this defensive business and express his true instincts going forward.
Flamini no loger resembles a bionic headless chicken
etc
A firm lock on an unbolted door allows us all to relax and confidently go forth.
regards
Gid reckons: …not just Arsenal’s only world cup winner, but the Premier League’s only world cup winner. Them’s is rare birds…
Howard has nothing but encouragment in spite of those copycat, rip off bloggers: Hi Myles! Like you. Another brilliant piece, Keep it up and never mind the criticism.
Kino says: For Gilberto has been marginalised and to me Idon’t think if he deserve that; Yes, Flamin is good as Diarra too but for sure Gill’s contribution to the team is still important for a year or two to come however I’m not supprised of what the “proffessor” is capable of doing. I started doubting when I saw Gill’s sacriffied in favor of Flamin at Emirates when playing against Sevila; however; in other way He (Gilberto) might be mentally unrested and so perhaps need some rest!!
Marco Dalli, tells it as it is: That’s why we like reading you, Myles.
Absolutely phenomenal analysis.
When you’re hot, you truly are hot.
(Though not always, of course. And not everybody can be.)
Best
M.D.
Daniel Nichols writes: First of all Myles good read as ever, this is the first time ive had to comment, didnt like the old friend of a friend spoke to Gilberto bit but didnt ruin the article as a whole. I have just read an article in which Gilberto wants to sign a new contract, unsure what to believe anymore. As much as i love Gilberto he’s been a fine player over the years as was Viera, Pires, Henry, Ljungberg and even Edu, nobody really expected them to leave when they did, Do you think Gilberto will leave soon?
Scott Ikes asks: Regarding your ideas on AW’s evolving third team (and Gilberto’s absence in it),
Moving Eboue into midfield on occassion seems to come from the same intent – to run at the opposition at a high tempo. Has he borrowed this strategy from Mourinho? We all know that Chelsea knackered the opposition and then killed them off. Arsenal seem to be scoring a lot of their first goals late in the match as well, then adding a second (which Chelsea rarely felt obliged to do).
Is this how AW intends to break teams down that play a 4-5-1? Rather instead to wear them down?
Scott
While Scott Smith says: Miles, when you get it right you are so much better than the rest.
Gilberto has been a rock that has anchored a growing team. So it seems like betrayal to push him aside now that he has served his purpose, if that’s what Arsene is thinking. However, what you say makes much sense. Would it be right though to keep him on as a squad player instead of letting him end his career in style somewhere else? Surely he’d choose to go? and I think he deserves a bit more respect than that?
Keep writing that good stuff!
Cheers
Scott
VJ writes:To start off,gilberto has been the most faithful and loving,towards the club and its fans.And his performances are World class for which every manager in the world would vy for-HE WAS BY FAR OUR BEST PLAYER LAST SEASON.
Why ask if he or Henry fit into Cesc’s team;Cesc’s just a lad and why must everythin revolve around him;Especially players who have ten times more experience than him and have won world cups!!
Cesc may be the guy ahead who gives the arsenal sense,but what if he’s injured tomo;whom will we then look upto-giving one player more importance than the team is hihgly unthoughtful.The game and OUR WAY has more of importance and must be protected.
Its time arsenal values their players of age and loyalty.He wanted to end his career at arsenal,just two weeks ago(his dream);for all that he has done for us;This is the least we can do.Or should i say must do.
And Kofi jnr: Yes, I think he would have been because nobody not even Arsene could predict how the team would fare and secondly wouldn’t sell another experience player after henry & freddie. Anyway I think Willy is also a world cup winner in the team. Thank you!!
Kautuk says: Gilberto fits in the team this year although next year is a question mark. We need his experience expecially in europe and we should see him back on the field soon
While Ton emails: I made this arguments two years ago, when Cesc took over for Vieira. Cesc is not a “box-to-box” player because of his lack of pace and is most effective when he plays further forward. He needs a ball-winner behind him. I think Vieira could have been that in theory, as he was for Juve, but Wenger always played Vieira further forward than Cesc when they were paired. I don’t think he could have made Vieira Cesc’s “water carrier” in reality because of the pecking order. There is no pecking order and there are no cliques anymore.
Kashif Fareed Wattoo writes from Pakistan: absolutely spot on Sir, like mostly gooners i also think that Gilberto is a real gentleman of a player, loyal, simple and Arsenal should def. keep him atleast for next two years, he is also the winning captain of Copa America besides being the world cup winner, so an accomplished player in every sense, this young team still needs his experience, especially when the going will get tough, Gilberto can get it going!!!
Now who’s gonna talk to Arsene about it?
Sonny points out:Gilberto has no problem at all not being captain as he said in his last interview on ATV. Unless he is lying of course!! He said he’d rather not do the job at all but as in playing center half when he’d prefer not to, he will help the team wherever he’s needed.
Sonny