17 years ago Arsenal signed Brazilian holding midfielder Gilberto Silva from Atletico Mineiro for a fee of £4.5m. Gilberto had just won a World Cup with Brazil and would go on to achieve immense success during his time at the Gunners, including being a part of the Invincibles.
During his six-year spell in north London, Gilberto made 244 appearances, netting 24 goals and registering ten assists as he became a legend at the club.
The Brazilian lynchpin was vital to Arsenal’s successful period, as he provided the balance in the midfield that allowed Patrick Vieira to foray forward to join the attack. The midfield partnership between Gilberto and Vieira is potentially the best in the club’s history and has never been replicated since.
A lot of Arsenal fans were reminiscent of the former Panathinaikos midfielder’s time at the club, with some claiming he was better than Vieira. A few Gunners fans believe that he has never been replaced at the club.
Here is the best of the reaction.
On this day in 2002 Arsenal signed Gilberto Silva from Atletico Mineiro for £4.5m.
He scored the first competitive goal at the Emirates Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Pd7UjyLfhc
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) July 28, 2019
I’m going to say it: this guy was better than Vieira. The best screening midfielder I’ve had the pleasure & privilege to watch.
— ???????????????????????????? Chris Edwards ???????????????????????????? (@Christof62) July 28, 2019
Gilberto Silva is who we have missed. Would have won the league with a Gilberto type player next to Cazorla. Wouldn’t have conceded as much in the past 10 years.
— Aidan (@sonof_wenger) July 28, 2019
Great player. Still haven’t replaced him!
— Ali D Gooner (@ali_gooner) July 28, 2019
The best holding midfielder. Ever.
— apan (@apan4cesc) July 28, 2019
Best DM we have ever signed.
— ????????Evans Njomo© (@EvansNjomo) July 28, 2019
Hero…, been waiting for someone like him in the midfield for years now
— Sasuke Uchiha (@NaijaArsenal) July 28, 2019
Never replaced when he left
— Nigel Hume (@nigelhume) July 28, 2019