Arsenal's visit to Liverpool on
31st March will be decisive in determining who finishes third,
according to Gunners vice-captain Gilberto.
With Chelsea and Manchester United virtually out of sight, the
other members of the Premiership's 'big four' look to be heading
for a straight battle in order to finish as second
runners-up.
Arsenal currently hold a slender one-point advantage - with a game
in hand - but their recent form has been poor and their next game
comes at Anfield.
A fourth win over Liverpool this season would give The Gunners a
formidable lead over their Merseyside opponents, but Gilberto
believes a win for Rafa Benitez's side would be equally as
crucial.
"The next game now is the most important. At Liverpool the outcome
will be decisive over who finishes third," said Gilberto.
"We know that at Liverpool it is always hard, and we need to keep
our shape as a side and we cannot afford to lose our concentration
like we have done in a few important games recently."
Arsenal have seen their season fall apart in the past few weeks -
having exited all three cup competitions - and Gilberto is hoping
the upcoming international break will give the Londoners the
opportunity to reflect and rebuild.
"I hope that after this break, everybody will be very focused on
our run-in to the Champions League next season. All we can do in
every game is our best.
"We need to come back stronger from the international break. I will
be with Brazil playing in Sweden, but that will have to be put to
the back of our minds on our return.
"Sometimes when you have a bad result it helps to play again
straight away, other times you need a break.
"But I hope this time the break will help us because these last few
days and weeks have been very hard and very painful for
us."
