Gilberto Silva (Arsenal, 2002)

Signed from Atletico Mineiro for £4.5million... scored on his debut in 1-0 Community Shield win against Liverpool... Celebrated his first season with Arsenal by winning the FA Cup.

Sometimes fate is a powerful force. If original Brazilian World Cup captain Emerson hadn't injured himself on the eve of the tournament larking about in goal, Gilberto Silva would never have ended up in England.

Emerson's absence gave the unheralded Gilberto the chance to play in every game as Brazil won their fifth World Cup. Arsene Wenger was impressed, snapped him up for Arsenal and the fairytale didn't end there.

Just a few weeks after conquering the world with Brazil, Gilberto converted Dennis Bergkamp's pullback to give his new club a trophy in his first game. He returned to Cardiff at the end of the season to help The Gunners beat Southampton and could celebrate a Millennium treble today.

"I have good memories of Cardiff," smiles the Brazilian. "It helped me have the best season of my life." Don't expect another Gilberto winning goal however, he only scored three all last season despite his debut strike.

Trophies/awards for Arsenal

1 FA Cup 2003
1 Community Shield 2002

Gilberto Silva 

Nationality: Brazilian
Place of Birth: Lagoa da Prata, Brazil
Date of Birth: 07 October 1976
Height: 6' 03''
Weight: 12 07
Club: Arsenal
Position: Midfielder

Year

Club

Apps.

Goals

1999

Vasco da Gama

n/a

n/a

2000

Atletico Mineiro

1

0

2001

Atletico Mineiro

26

3

2002/03

Arsenal

35

0



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