Is Gilberto on his way out?

Gilberto always said he would see out his contract then leave, so this is nothing new. (Him leaving in 18 months, that is). He said he will be returning to Brazil to see out his career but you never know, he may go and do a year on the continent then go home. I don't think he'll be off in January anyway.

 

Article? Sorry, SKIZZ, not calling you out, I just don't remember that. I do remember Juve wanting to sign him.

 

I said this all over the boards when Gilberto was not the automatic selection for the captaincy earlier in the summer, and then Gallas was awarded it... then we sign Diarra, or were rumored to sign him at the time... the writings on the wall.. sell him to Juve or Inter... we can make a lot of that and Gil will get time...

 

It's nice of him to say this and all, but... After this year, his services shan't really be needed very much. He's a legend, but I'd say we're going to have to sell him in the summer.

 

This was YEARS ago, the quote is this:

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SPORT/football/08/10/arsenal.gilberto/

But obviously he said that two years ago.

 

I've felt that since Gallas was handed the captaincy that this would be Gil's last year here. And he seems to have lost the PK job when he was brilliant at it last year. And it seems he's losing his position as DMid as well. I'm certain he's gonig sooner rather than later.

 

Not so sure about that, I think Wenger's feeding him back in carefully this season because of the amount of playing time this summer.Maybe in the summer he could go, if Diaby and Diarra prove themselves, but not until then...

 

Unless he gets it together and quick at Centre back it's over for Bert. Too many young quality midfielder that are damn near impossible for the boss to keep off the pitch.

Flamini's work rate alont did Bert in, not to mention Diarra, Denilson, Diaby.

 

I'm really looking forward to the debate on whether any of those mentioned are DMs, CMs, AMs, box-to-box, a midfielder whose only good at "shielding the back four", or a "creative" midfielder. I believe the last time around someone pegged Denilson as an attacking midfielder.

The only thing for sure is that none of these "play the same position" as Gilberto, and that they "play a different game altogether".

 

Denilson would be more attacking/mid field maestro definetly........I think his small stature dictates what he could do defensively. He does seem to track back well though.

Diarra is good mix of a ball winner/maestro/ box to box player imho....

Diaby is huge in physique but he seems to be geared more towards attack.

Flamini is a pure ball winner lunatic running all over the place and I think that compliments Cesc and the other 2 midfielders best.

I hope AW finds a way to keep bert though in one capacity or another.

 

I think the legend talk may be a bit strong.

It's much easier for Wenger to have a vocal, CB who speaks French as the captain rather than a relatively quiet Brazilian CM. Never a chance of Gallas not understanding what he wants done.
I wouldn't say Gilberto was "brilliant" at PKs last year. He's good, but I'd much rather have RvP or Ade take them.

 

Well, I suppose it's subjective.

Agree with these sentiments. Although, it must be lame to be the vice captain, have the captain leave, and then somebody else becomes captain.

I'd rather have RVP take them.

 

I would. He went both ways, bottom corner of the goal (hitting the side net at least four times). I haven't seen Ade take a PK yet, but he's not a great striker of the ball. And while RVP's PKs look nice, it's really stupid to try and blast the ball into the top corners. While you can't hit a ball low, you can hit it too high. Just ask Stevie G or Roberto Baggio.

 

I agree that he's a very good PK taker. I understand your point about hitting it into the top corners, but I think RvP mixes it up very well. I assume we'll have more of a sample size for this discussion over the course of the year, as I anticipate that RvP and Ade will take the majority of PKs.

 

Ade took the PK against Derby cool as you would like into the bottom right corner.........

 

I think that it's still hard to know what's going on, given Gilberto's busy summer and the need for a break because of that. That said, I think Flamini's staying this summer and subsequent excellent play so far this season makes it much easier to see Gilberto heading elsewhere in the near future.

Seems like I saw an article or two over the summer about Valencia or someone possibly making a major cash offer for Gilberto. Given other options (Flamini, etc.) Arsenal have now, I think such an offer would be very hard to refuse.

 

Ade is 2 for 2 this year on pens.

And Bert slipped at Old Trafford. A freak moment that happens 1 in 1,000 penalties (Zenden, Carling Cup final anyone?) I wouldn't blame him for that miss, it really wasn't his fault.

 

I will not be surprised at all if we sold him, there have been rumours of big money being put on the table. Itll be sad but i can see him going...

 

Given our new choices in the center of the park along with the revival of the Flim Flamster i can see Bert leaving this coming summer. I think we will take the money we can get for him which is looking at being pretty good right now and he will go to the continent for a year or so and then back to Brazil. Given that, i dont want to see him leave before next summer though. I think Jan would be a bit premature and we can always use his experience on and off the pitch, in the dressing room, at practice, etc.

 

Berto missed a couple last season... at OT and against Bolton... that is what I remember but I think it was more