Use this thread for general daily football discussion.
This thread can also be used to discuss Transfer rumours and to post Tier 4 sources.
As this may fill up please sort by new to try and avoid constantly repeating the same question.
Join our Discord for live discussion and don’t forget to follow us on twitter.
How good was Gilberto Silva? (I was too young at that time)
I know almost every Arsenal fan knows him but he and Lauren tends to get the least recognition among others.
Can say the same for Brazil 2002 WC.
Two great comps of his ‘03/04 and ‘05/06 seasons to give you a feel.
Very good. However, I am not even sure why. He just screened the back 4 so well. Like Deschamps he was vital to his teams success but on their own they had no stand out attributes
Gilberto’s nickname was the Wall
He was limited and looked so lost without Vieira in 05/06 nine away games lost that year! Arsenal dropped him for Flamini and instantly we had a functioning midfield again in 07/08. He wasn’t a good passer, heavy first touch, no creativity but very good at filling in gaps. Great athleticism could get up and down the pitch, tackled well, not aggressive enough for my liking but not a soft touch, neat and tidy in possession when given time, excellent reading of game to make interceptions etc.
When compared to Petit he was miles off him and the fans didn’t help by focussing on all the things Gilberto couldn’t do (a long list) instead of focusing on the few things he did really well. He wasn’t Petit but who was! Gilberto did the best job he could within his limitations.
Petit did the defensive stuff as good if not better than Gilberto, was physically more aggressive and a more powerful runner, far more skillful and his creativity, vision, range and accuracy of passing shames Gilberto.
Respect on Gilberto but I preferred us with Edu alongside Vieira. Petit /Vieira was miles better and Fabregas/ Flamini was better than Gilberto/Fabregas.
Would he get in this Arsenal side ahead of Partey or Rice no chance in Hell.
Worst opinion of the year holy shit
We looked more balanced with a left foot/right foot partnership. Edu was a more skillful player and was a far better passer and offered real creativity with thy left foot.
Edu was never a skillful player dude, what you on about?
He offered creativity? When? Where?
Edu had lovely body shape to glide past players. Loved a drag back to beat a man and had fantastic passing ability long and short. A great one touch man. He opened sides up with first time passes in behind defenses ie the Mike Riley game at OT when he pinged it first time dissecting their midfield to put Ljungberg through on goal before Ferdinand fouled him. That was his trademark attacking pass first time drilled into space he had that vision and technical ability to open sides up. As for his skill his close control and shuffle to score with his right foot against Celta Vigo in champions league was lovely.
Video of Edu skilling up brahs and opening sides up with his gem of a left leg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YDw3-QLctPk&pp=ygUaZWR1IGdhc3BhciBhcnNlbmFsIHNraWxscyA%3D
It’s worth watching the 5th round win at Old trafford in 03 or the league title winning game in 02 full 90 mins are easily found of both games and see Edu busting skills all over the park. Man shuffled past players.
A 2001/2 season review is good watching all round as Edu played wide left, centre mid and left back and excelled in all positions.
The 90 mins 5-1 in San Siro is online as well Edu gliding past international midfielders with ease.
He was overwhelmed without Vieira and Arsenal looked far better with Flamini alongside Fabregas than Gilberto and Fabregas. Good player but his limitations could be hid in a good side but for exposed ruthlessly in weaker teams.