Last season, it would have been difficult to imagine Gilberto not
starting in the Arsenal side. Aside from his combative midfield
duties, the Brazilian also took on the captaincy and the
penalty-taking in a challenging campaign.
This term, he has found himself out of the side. His spell at the
Copa America saw him report back to training later than the rest of
the squad and consequently he missed much of pre-season training.
Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini started the campaign as the
central midfield pair and, given Arsenals record of nine wins and
a draw from their first 10 games, have been virtually undroppable.
Meanwhile Tuesdays victory over Newcastle showed the potential of
Denilson and new signing Lassana Diarra.
Wengers is aware of Gilbertos disappointment.
"Yes I can understand that, he said. But it's not that you can
chat with the guy that he is not disappointed anymore, it's all
part of competition.
Gilberto is an outstanding player - mentally and morally fantastic
- but he accepts competition. I think he is a very good centre back
but as well it is down to the balance of the team.
I feel at the moment Flamini is playing extremely well. Diarra and
Denilson are doing well too. There is tremendous competition, you
cannot stop that, but that doesn't take anything away from what
Gilberto does, or has done.