As part of Young Guns’ regular work with supporters club’s around the world, we’re delighted to be able to offer our readers the chance to have a question of their choice put to Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva.
The Panathinaikos midfielder turned out over 170 times in the Premier League for the Gunners over six glittering years. He proved to be a real role model to the developing young talent around him, and his love for the club still burns strong. The 33-year-old is in London next week to take part in a friendly for his native Brazil against Ireland at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s Official Brazil Supporters club will meet Gilberto in two weeks time for an exclusive interview. They will cover the usual batch of questions, but we’re looking for something maybe related to the youth aspect at the club. Three of the best questions will be selected and asked to the man nicknamed ‘The Invisible Wall’.
To have your question potentially asked by Gilberto, just leave them in the comment section and we’ll e-mail you a one weeks time to let you know if you’ve been selected. Naturally, please provide your correct e-mail address in the comment form.
Mr. Silva, what do you think of the young brazilians (Denilson and Wellington)? Do you think they have what it takes to make it at Arsenal? And who are some young brazilians that Arsene should maybe keep an eye out for?
Thanks,
Sean
Can you see yourself getting involved in coaching/management when you retire from playing? It’d be great to see you back at Arsenal in such a capacity.
Damn, I had the same question :)
Dear Gilberto,
What advice, beyond patience, would you give to the young midfielders (Frimpong, Lansbury, Denilson, Merida) trying to emulate your success as a defensive midfielder – after your own experiences of breaking into the first team and solidly holding a spot for over half a decade?
Lansbury and Merida are attacking mids mate…
Hi Mr. Silva,
I would like to ask you a couple of questions. Which reserve team player has impressed you a lot in the last a couple of years and do you think he can break into the Arsenal’s first team ?
One more,, who’s the toughest player you’ve ever faced with ?
Warm regards.
I second Seans Questions regarding our current Brazilians and if he has a scoop on any other Brazilians that Arsene should be on the look out for.
Andres
Senhor, do you reckon the likes of Song, Denilson, Frimpong, Coquelin etc. have what it takes to become outstanding defensive midfielders like yourself and of course Pat Viera? Also, do you think Diaby has the ability to adapt into the holding position when players such as Alex Song aren’t available?
Denilson has proved time and time again that he is a cack DM. he needs to be played further forward to get the best out of him.
Fantastic! Here are my suggestions:
1) Do you think it’s wrong for fans to care so much about winning that some would consider scrapping the youth academy and spend money straight on the first team?
2) So if we look back over the past few years, should the fans simply support the club and congratulate it for doing so well considering how little money has been spent and how we have promoted youth, or should the fans be asking questions about why we haven’t spent more of the money available, to give us a better chance of winning?
3) Having grown up in Brazil and staying until you were in your 20s, do you think it is better for young players to remain in smaller leagues, clubs or teams until that sort of age so that they can play with less pressure and develop their skills naturally? Many big young prospects get talked up a lot and join the big teams so young and a big majority end up not fulfilling their potential, so do you think the gamble is worth it for the young player?
Gilberto,
Comparing the youth academy system’s at Arsenal and Panathinaikos, what are the main differences between them?
Arsenal has had difficulties this and the last season with their young DM’s not tracking back to help the defense out…especially when the other teams are counter-attacking. You used to be a master in this art….do you think that there needs to be an experienced DM in Arsenal today in order to teach these youngsters how to help the defense?
Which way is easier to learn such a thing according to you, with the help of an experienced DM like yourself or is it something the players will learn themselves or with the help of youth trainers/Arsene Wenger?
Hi Bert!
How are you liking life in Greece and how is it different to you’re experience with working in London?
Good luck with the World cup!
In arsenal, nowadays, players are loaned out when they are young, often under 20, and then when they reach 20-21 they are supposed to show that they belong in the First team. If not, they are often sold when reaching 22-23.
In most other teams, a player is seen as a young talent even when they are 23 years old…not in arsenal though as 23 is “old”. Do you think Arsenal should wait with players until they reach 23-25 before selling them?
Mr Silva a.k.a silver/the invisible wall
do you like the nickname invisible wall, I don’t really like it as your obviously not a wall and when I watch the matches your involved in, I can clearly see you(unless I’m the only one that see you. Anyway you’re great player a legend in my eyes.
GILBERTO, WELCOME HOME. WOULD YOU CONSIDER WORKING FOR ARSENAL AFTER YOU RETIRE FROM PLAYING, PERHAPS MAYBE AS A SCOUT BASED IN BRAZIL?
Hi Gilberto,
What do you consider to be the biggest obstacle a young Brazilian faces when joining a European side, especially in a northern European culture like the UK? Would you recommend that Brazilian youngsters join an English/German/Dutch side straight away when looking at a move or do you think that joining an Italian/Portuguese/Spanish team for a few seasons first would help with their adaptation to a more “European” way of life? There are obvious exceptions to my assumption, i.e. Ronaldo (18) and Romario (22) at PSV, but I’d be interested in your take on this issue.
As an additional point, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on the issue of the non-club player ownership situation that is so prevalent in South America.
Thanks,
Ed
Gilberto, what was it like working with Arsene Wenger everyday and what kind of influence does he have on the players, especially the younger ones?
What advice, as a seasoned professional, would you give to those just starting their careers at Arsenal?
Mr Silva
Looking at our current team can you see a weakness that needs to be addressed or do you think all this team needs is time to mature?
Also I have always wondered what position Denilson will end up playing? Is he more likely to become a DM like song or a CM like Fabregas. I personally think he looks more at a home as a DM but just lacks the physical strength and possible needs to improve his tacking. What do you think?
Mr Silva
Have you any Brazilian recipe against arsenal troll who whine all the time on arsenal blog.No? never mind :D
real question now ;) in 6 years at arsenal what your most memorable moment and your worst.
mr silva what do you think about the current arsenal squad and the chances of winning a trophy
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What is your greatest Arsenal memory and what do you envision for Arsenal especially in regards to the youth policy later culminating to 1st teamers and potential world beaters?
Bless you
Gilberto,
If you were the coach of Brazil, would you pick Arsenal’s very own Denilson ahead of yourself? If no, what should he do to get better? Please answer honestly.
Secondly, Arsenal fans have clamoured for the purchase of Felipe Melo in the summer. He joined Juventus and recently won the infamous ‘Golden Bin’ award. Playing as his midfield partner, do you think Denilson is better than him or has Arsenal missed a world class player?
What young players do you see who are currently playing in Brasil who have a chance to make an impact like Pele did in 1958? What do see as the stregnths and weaknesses of Wellington Silva and Denilson? And what part sof their game do they need to improve upon?
do you feel as though your time out of the game as a young professional helped you to achieve so much in a short space of time after you returned to football?
or
do you feel as though your time out of the game as a young professional helped in giving you a mindset and ethic of hard work, that is arguably lacking in todays pampered and prematurely feted brazillian footballers.
Hello Gilberto,
What do you think the key was to our amazing unbeaten season?
Hi just came across your site and been reading some of your entries and just wondering why you chose a WordPress blog dont you find it hard to do anything with? Been thinking about starting one.