Singapore Festival of Football 2025 THE MISSING LINKS FOUND

Arsenal now have power and strength to compete on all fronts, says Gilberto

- Deepanraj Ganesan

There are not many footballers who can say that they have been a part of two iconic football teams, at club and international level.

Gilberto Silva is one of the few.

As the midfield lynchpin of the "Invincibles" Arsenal side that lifted the 2003-04 English Premier League title and 2002 World Cup winners Brazil, he knows what a winning team need.

And the 48-year-old believes Arsenal's new-look midfield has what it takes to compete on multiple fronts in the coming season.

This summer, the Gunners signed Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for around £55 million (S$95 million) and the Spaniard is expected to be part of Arsenal's improved midfield, with Declan Rice and club captain Martin Odegaard.

"They have a lot of quality (and) offer power and strength in the middle. This is what the club need, because the Premier League is so competitive," Gilberto told The Straits Times on July 22 at Molly Malone's Irish Pub, where Arsenal announced a multi-year global partnership with Guinness at an event attended by over 300 local supporters.

"It is what, as a fan, we expect and hope that the midfield (players) can do a great job. Because when you control this part of the field, it is so important for the development of the game and for the results."