Gilberto Silva: Gabriel “will go far” at Arsenal

Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva believes that his compatriot Gabriel will go far at the club, although he admits he still needs more time to adapt, as reported by the London Evening Standard.

The 24-year-old Brazilian signed for the Gunners in the January transfer window from Villarreal for a fee of £11.2 million (as reported by BBC Sport), and he’s had to fight for a place in the starting line-up alongside Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.

Gilberto though believes that he needs to be patient and listen to his manager.

The World Cup winner said: “It’s nice to see another Brazilian at Arsenal. He stepped up and he’s made his case well.

“When I’ve seen him play he has done well, but he still needs time to adapt. He needs to be patient and learn from Arsene if he wants to be a first-choice. But he’s a good player and he will go far.”

Gilberto knows what it takes to hold down a place in the Arsenal side, after spending six years at the club between 2002 and 2008.

He was part of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ team that went through the entire 2003/04 Premier League season unbeaten; a run that inevitably took them to the title, his only league crown at the club. In that season, the Brazilian played in 32 of the 38 league games.

Gabriel made six appearances in the Premier League after his move midway through last season, and he’s made the same number of appearances this term.

His naivety has shown at times, as he was sent off at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign after reacting to Diego Costa.

The 6ft1 centre-back also played in three of Arsenal’s four Champions League games this campaign, which all ended in defeat.