Pep style is Barnes stormer
GILBERTO SILVA
ARSENAL legend Gilberto Silva has urged Jack Wilshere to use the big Wembley stage to prove that he can still become the talent he first recognised a decade ago.
England midfielder Wilshere has been stung by Roy Keane’s savage claim that he is “probably the most overrated player on the planet” ahead of today’s Carabao Cup Final clash with Manchester City.
But Silva, who was part of the Invincibles team that took the Gunners to their last Premier League title in 2004, insists that the 26-year-old has the perfect opportunity to show the future can be his.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport, Brazil World Cup winner Silva said: “Jack was supposed to be an Arsenal player who was going to be playing at the top level for many years.
“I still remember when I first saw him. Jack was about 16 years old and I can remember how easy it was to see his talent on that first day when he trained with the squad.
“You could see the quality – and you never lose that quality.
“He is brave with the ball and has good vision. Arsenal need a player like him.
“But the last few years have been a struggle. Jack has suffered with injuries and then was allowed to go on loan to Bournemouth.
“From the outside, it looked like he had lost his direction.
“But, in my opinion, all the problems he’s had will have taught him a lot.
“If he didn’t have strength then it would have been impossible to get through the frustration he has suffered with injuries.
“This game against City is a big opportunity for him.
“When you play in a final, against a big team, the best players look at it as a chance to do well. It is a special game, the chance to show that you have the strength to become a champion. Hopefully he can show how good he is because Arsenal need players like him who understand the club’s culture.” Gilberto, 41, signed for the Gunners in a £4.5million deal in 2002 from Atletico Mineiro, just a few weeks after helping Brazil become World champions. Over the next five years, he won Matches played 1 Games started 0 Minutes played 6 Total shots 0 Assists 0 Total Passes 4 Passes successful 3 Passing Acc % 75 Tackles 0 Interceptions 1 Recoveries 0 the Premier League, lifted the FA Cup twice, and also helped the Gunners reach the 2005 Champions League Final. He is now back home in Brazil, looking after business interests that include a hotel and a construction company. Silva is also planning to get into agency work. He believes the Wembley clash is a must-win game for both Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola. Silva addd: “Pep will want to 15 35 25 24 13 31 20 19 1093 2650 1696 1719 17 27 12 21 1 3 3 4 401 1903 1192 1219 298 1639 1028 1050 74.31 86.13 86.24 86.14 32 58 33 31 31 51 24 10 84 205 146 123 14 3 29 9 1 22 732 141 1949 18 1 27 1 0 2 524 83 1069 441 70 892 84.16 84.34 83.44 10 3 27 5 2 13 62 12 144 15 9 911 12 2 624 536 85.9 12 7 81 win his first trophy in England. He’s done a great job at City and he is expected to win many titles. But to lift his first trophy will be special for him. “For Arsene, he needs to win to keep the pressure off. “This is the kind of big game he loves. Arsene has reached many finals and won a lot of trophies, but he needs this one to show he is back. “It’ll take a big performance for Arsenal to win this trophy. “I have been watching City closely and Pep is doing a great job. The balance they have and the way they win the ball back so quickly after losing it is something very special.”