Stepping up to the mantle

Jon Brodkin talks to Brazilian Gilberto Silva, who, after Patrick Vieira's departure, must now take the pivotal role in Arsenal's midfield if the North London side are to regain their title.

Gilberto Silva's final reference to Chelsea as "the enemy" could hardly fail to make the ears prick up. Before the authorities get too twitchy, though, the Arsenal midfielder was not stoking up animosity but gently capturing the rivalry between the sides.

At Stamford Bridge tomorrow Gilberto knows the country will be looking for proof that Arsenal can seriously contest the championship, and he is ready for the fight.

The Brazil international has to be these days - more so than ever. With Patrick Vieira gone, his already high value to the team has multiplied. Arsene Wenger was putting it mildly last weekend when he referred to Jermaine Jenas's clattering challenge on Gilberto as "an anxious moment". If Thierry Henry is Arsenal's key player, Gilberto cannot be far behind.

It was only as the team stuttered in his extended absence last season that many came to appreciate the importance of Gilberto's unfussy work, and now the 28-year-old stands as Arsenal's sole experienced central midfielder. He is aware that Vieira's exit, and a quiet summer of buying, mean Arsenal have been widely written off. Tomorrow is a chance to alter that thinking.

"A lot of people have said Arsenal are not going to be the same without Patrick," Gilberto reflects. "We know how good he was for the team but now we have to play without him. This is a good game to prove we are still strong and the team are a unit and we are ready for the Premiership."

Defeat to Chelsea in the Community Shield plus the champions' latest bout of spending do not fill Gilberto with pessimism. He says the Arsenal players are in better physical condition than in Cardiff, when they were tired from pre-season training, and better prepared for what Chelsea have to offer.

"Their team is very strong, we know that, but if you say they spend a lot of money and so they will win the league that is not the case. But teams have to do something different to beat them. We are ready to do that - something different and special."

It may be far too early to be talking of championship deciders but there is no question Arsenal's minds are focused on that prize. "I think a lot of teams want it but we want it more," Gilberto says. "We want to bring the title back to Highbury, especially because it is the last season."

Many doubt whether Arsenal's squad, as distinct from their first XI, is strong enough. With almost two weeks remaining until the transfer window closes, Wenger could yet make more signings but the relative lack of activity so far has struck Gilberto. "I'm not disappointed, that's not the right word," he says, "but if you see what other clubs did to improve their teams and get stronger compared to ours, we have just signed Alex Hleb and (he forgets the name) Alex Song - and some young players.

"I think the manager knows what he is doing. At the moment we understand the situation at the club because we have a new stadium. From what I know from Arsene, they will sign if it is necessary for a certain position."

Wenger has tried unsuccessfully to get the goalkeeper Sebastian Viera and Gilberto's international colleague Julio Baptista. Gilberto calls Baptista's decision to join Real Madrid a "big miss" for Arsenal but prefers to look ahead. He insists he has no concerns about the club's ambition as he prepares for further talks aimed at extending his contract beyond next summer.

"I want to stay here because they want to win more titles," he says. "I don't need to move. I am settled and the team is very good . . . I don't think it will be difficult to sign a new contract."

His immediate focus is on helping Arsenal to thrive post-Vieira. He acknowledges Wenger is under pressure for selling the Frenchman but says the squad trust their manager, and adds that he will play his part in aiding Henry, the new captain.

"I think Thierry will be different (from Viera)," Gilberto says, "but he knows how to do it; he has played under many captains. Patrick commanded the team in the dressingroom and talked to the players - if anyone had a doubt he would talk to them and gee them up. The experienced players are here to help. Thierry doesn't need to do it alone."

Gilberto's relaxed manner betrays no sign of worry. A greater concern came last season when he sustained a career-threatening back injury which sidelined him for six months. "Of course you are a little bit scared about your future," he says, "but I always thought positively . . . I think the best thing I did was forget everything about football. I closed the door on football and stayed with my family."

Plenty of time was spent recuperating in Brazil. That visit was rather more sedate than when Gilberto returned to his hometown of Lagoa da Prata after winning the 2002 World Cup.

Recent talk in Gilberto's homeland has centred on the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian shot dead by police in London. "People were very shocked," Gilberto says. "But it's difficult because in one way you think about the family of the person who was shot dead and you think the police made a big mistake. But also the police are scared because they don't know when something might happen, where and who it will be. This is a terrible situation."

Gilberto is a thoughtful soul and, in moments of calm at his home in London, he plays the mandolin to relax. Tomorrow will be anything but quiet but the Brazilian feels sure Arsenal's defence will cope better than in Cardiff a fortnight ago.

"We know a little bit how Chelsea play and when you know the enemy it's a little bit easier to win," he says. "But of course it's not guaranteed. All the time you are under pressure to win something. I like this challenge in my life, because always my life has been a big challenge." Guardian Service