Arsenal now have ‘power, strength' to compete on all fronts, says Gunners' legend Gilberto Silva
SINGAPORE – There are not many footballers who can say that they have been a part of two iconic football teams, at club and international level.
Gilberto Silva is one of the few.
As the midfield lynchpin of the 'Invincibles' Arsenal side that lifted the 2003-04 English Premier League title and 2002 World Cup winners Brazil, he knows what a winning team need.
And the 48-year-old believes Arsenal's new-look midfield has what it takes to compete on multiple fronts in the coming season.
This summer, the Gunners signed Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for around £55 million (S$95 million) and the Spaniard is expected to be part of Arsenal's new-look midfield trio with Declan Rice and club captain Martin Odegaard.
'They have a lot of quality (and) offer power and strength in the middle. This is what the club need, because the Premier League is so competitive,' Gilberto told The Straits Times on July 22 at Molly Malone's Irish Pub, where Arsenal announced a multi-year global partnership with Guinness at an event attended by over 300 local supporters.
'Arsenal are back in the Champions League, and they are going to face many challenges again. Last year they had a great campaign (reaching the semi-finals) , and I hope this year they can get through to the final, and why not win it?
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'It is what, as a fan, we expect and hope that the midfield (players) can do a great job. Because when you control this part of the field, it is so important for the development of the game and for the results.'
Gilberto, who starred in Arsenal's historic 2003-04 EPL triumph, joined Arsenal in August 2002 from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro and also won the FA Cup twice with the North London side, in 2003 and 2005.
Now an ambassador for the club, Gilberto, like fellow Arsenal fans, has endured the pain of seeing the Gunners finish second in the league for three consecutive seasons.
Last season, Odegaard, defenders Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes and attackers Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka all missed parts of the campaign through injuries and Arsenal sputtered to the finishing line, winning just five of their final 13 league games.
The additions of Zubimendi, another midfielder in Christian Norgaard from Brentford, and winger Noni Madueke from Chelsea, are indications that Arsenal have gleaned lessons.
Gilberto believes the club should continue to build their squad depth ahead of the new season.
'There is a way for the club to look forward and improve the squad in terms of quality players,' said the Brazilian.
'When we have so many games in the season, there are a lot of things you cannot predict. For example, with injuries last year, Arsenal suffered quite a lot. Some important players got injured, which cost them a lot.
'But you need quality players not only in the first XI, but players that can come in during the match... (and) keep the same quality and intensity, because it is so important to have the consistency during the season.'
Another of Gilberto's former teams that have struggled with the weight of expectation are Brazil, who were eliminated in the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But Gilberto hopes that, just like the Gunners, Brazil can get their hands on the trophy in 2026.
The Selecao qualified for the 2026 World Cup in North America with a 1-0 win over Paraguay in June, in what was Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti's first victory as Brazil coach.
Gilberto said Ancelotti – appointed in May – has the experience to deal with the expectations.
The 66-year-old has led AC Milan and Real Madrid to the Champions League title and has also won domestic league honours in England, Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
'When you are manager of Brazil, you are under a huge amount of pressure, but with his experience, he can handle everything, and I'm sure he's going to do a great job. And I hope that they achieve the title (in 2026),' said Gilberto.
With a squad featuring players from some of the best teams in the world, he is confident Brazil will perform well in North America – if they show heart as well.
'One important aspect when you play for the national team is that you have to be proud to be there, because not many good players had an opportunity to wear that shirt. Once you are there, you have to be like a soldier who goes to a war to fight for the country. This is what we expect from them.'
Gilberto will be in stands at the National Stadium alongside the Arsenal fans when the Gunners' pre-season tour of Asia begins against Italian giants AC Milan on July 23.
The Gunners will conduct an open training session on July 25 at the same venue, before facing English League Cup holders Newcastle United two days later.
Gilberto is thankful that his former side gets to visit this part of the world, saying: 'It's a good way to make a connection with the fans around the world. I really enjoy it.
'The only tough thing sometimes is just the first few days because of the time difference, but then we adapt and we have the love of everyone.
'Everyone feels happy and we enjoy that.'
Tickets to the Singapore Festival of Football are available at .
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