Gilberto geared up for next test
Friday, December 8, 2006
Article summary
Gilberto has urged Arsenal FC to think like champions, with or without Thierry Henry, as they face a Premiership showdown against Chelsea FC this weekend.
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Leadership candidates
Luckily, Arsène Wenger has candidates who are ready to apply his footballing philosophy where it matters most, on the pitch, and any UEFA Champions League side would cherish the thought of having Jens Lehmann or Cesc Fabregas on their roster going into the knockout stage.
Midfield powerhouse
However, in Gilberto, Arsenal also have a man who does his job with quiet authority, leading by example and - together with Fabregas - forming one of the most effective and quick-thinking central midfield units in Europe. Indeed, the Brazilian international is stand-in captain in Henry's fatigue-inspired absence. "Everyone inside and outside the club knows the importance of Thierry as a footballer and as a leader," he said. "But everyone is working to compensate for his absence while it lasts. It's clear to me the team is more experienced than last season. The younger players are a little more mature and I think we manage games with some skill. But at the same time I believe Arsenal can improve much more and play better than we have."
Derby day
Before next Friday's draw for the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, last season's runners-up must turn their focus to the Premiership. This weekend brings a visit to title-holders Chelsea FC and just one more tough physical and mental test for Gilberto. "It does seem like the big matches just keep on coming," the 30-year-old said. A north London derby win against Tottenham Hotspur FC last Saturday had been the prelude to Wednesday's 0-0 draw at FC Porto which booked Arsenal's European passage.
United precedent
"Perhaps we will be without Thierry but that was the case against Manchester United [FC in September] and we won there, so we will apply the same attitude," he went on. "I think we have a good chance of winning and the same mentality applies this weekend as when the UEFA Champions League draw is made next week. If you want to be a champion, you have to think like a champion. No matter who we play, we need to believe we are winners. That is true of playing Chelsea and it's true whether we were to draw FC Barcelona or anyone else next Friday."
