Arsenal's Silva Lining

Gilberto Aparecido da Silva. Where to begin, one might ask? A player, who is so highly rated by fellow volante and also former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who called him the lynchpin of Brazil’s successful 2002 World Cup campaign, is now the captain of the most illustrious footballing nation known. Yet, he has his critics. Many argue of his importance to the Arsenal and Brazil teams, claiming that the modern game has no need for defensive midfielders. To them I say, look at the evidence.

Arsène Wenger’s pervious teams have been based on counterattacking with a defensive midfielder partnering the midfield enforcer, who was Patrick Vieira. In the unbeaten season it was the Brazilian World Cup winner who was the ‘invisible shield’, intercepting passes and distributing the ball cleanly. Again, the critics claim he is not a great passer although in this pervious season, he was second only to the precocious Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal team with a pass conversion rate of 82%. Naturally the midfield anchor must be able to defend. Gilberto Silva has perhaps saved his team at least four or five points this year, through his abilities.

Physical prowess. Just look for the amazing 12 yards he made up to dispossess compatriot Ronaldo in a thrilling Champions League encounter last year. He rarely gets injured, with the one exception a career threatening vertebrae injury, in the 2004/5 season, when Arsenal sorely missed his calming presence.

Man marking. Remember the expert marshalling of argentine Juan Roman Riquelme in the tense Champions League semi-final last year in Villarreal, the countless sliding tackles, timed to perfection, the number of dispossessions he undertook and also the interceptions of the playmaker’s passing.

Tactical awareness. The new Arsenal style is more of a passing one, with a patient build-up, as Fabregas dictates teams more often. The lack of true width means the full-backs must attack forward and provide crosses to stretch teams. Imagine Arsenal and Brazil, without the likes of Eboue and also namesake Gilberto (Hertha Berlin full-back), creating less space, due to the lack of running from deep.

Gilberto allows this to happen, providing a balance within the team. He covers positions when his fellow players are out of position, intercepting passes, breaking up possible counterattacking play with his ability. In essence, he provides the attacking base for the team, with the flair players going forward reassured that they are covered. The ability to know where to place one self when defending has been priceless, as his lack of lightning pace is rarely exposed.

Putting the team first, Gilberto is a natural leader; an example is when he threw himself in front of a powerful Michael Essien shot and thus effectively blocking it in the penultimate game of the season. So it was little surprise when ‘Bertie’ (as he is affectionately known by the Arsenal faithful) committed to the club he loves, rather than like many of his team-mates, who instead claimed their futures hinge on Wenger’s future.

Praised by Dunga, the figure point in the art of the anchorman in recent history, he has all the attributes to become a permanent captain for the ‘Gunners’, if Thierry Henry does leave. Naturally being placed in midfield, gives the most access to Silva. He constantly speaks to the younger players surrounding him, guiding them, positioning them correctly. More a quiet captain, than his former midfield partner Patrick Vieira, he is very effective, leading the young ‘Gunners’ to a seven match unbeaten run in the absence of club talisman Henry. His awareness on and off the ball is 360 degrees and because of this, he is so effective, rarely losing possession and the figurehead of the defensive unit, which he leads. And it is because of this that his game is based on great trust from his team mates, rather than individual, breathtaking moves.

Yet in this previous season, the attacking aspect of his game has been revealed, with a personal record of 11 goals in all competitions, his aerial ability, and eerie coolness, when it comes to taking penalties has been even more vital to his team than ever. It is experience that is now showing as he reaches his peak, knowing when to go forward, as he has shown with his pin point cross in the final minute of the inaugural full international at the new Wembley, resulting in a goal, not to forget the header earlier in the very same game, that was wrongly ruled for offside. Now as Edu once helped him, he helps fellow countryman Denilson acclimatise to the country and its style of play, hoping to pass on his experience to the player that one day hopes to succeed him.

Every generation, there is one outstanding attacking player, who for all his talents may lack discipline and patience. In contrast, Gilberto has both of these attributes and he may not sell millions of shirts for his club, but his is more vital to his team than ever. Now all that remains is the elusive Champions league trophy that has long eluded him and Arsenal.