Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

Football Europe: Gilberto scents glory for Gunners

/noticias.info/ Not a ball has been kicked in the new English Premiership season, but many observers - not least Chelsea FC chief executive Peter Kenyon - have already predicted it will be a one-horse race with the Stamford Bridge club out in front.

Vieira flying
Manchester United FC have been beset by off-field problems all summer, with the controversial takeover by Malcolm Glazer and the saga of Rio Ferdinand's contract talks. Meanwhile, Arsenal FC's pre-season preparations were rocked by the €20m sale of Patrick Vieira to Juventus FC.

Young guns
While prodigiously talented youngsters such as Matthieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas will undoubtedly come to the fore, it is Gilberto to whom Arsène Wenger will turn to fill Vieira's sizeable boots. And the Brazilian FIFA World Cup winner insists he is happy Arsenal are out of the spotlight.

Quiet confidence
"Certain people outside the club might not believe we can win the title - but we do," Gilberto told uefa.com. "The lack of attention will help us. This time last year we were still carrying the pressure of having finished the 2003/04 season unbeaten and that had a negative effect on us. I'm happy we are being written off because I know it will help our chances. I'm more than willing to let other people forget about us and leave us alone to work our socks off."

Honest respect
Arsenal last lifted the Premiership trophy in 2004, before losing their crown to Chelsea. Not surprisingly, Gilberto is full of admiration for José Mourinho's side. "You have to say Chelsea are in good shape," he said. "Chelsea have improved so much under José Mourinho. He took a group of good players this time last season and changed their posture completely.

Team spirit
"You can just see that the Chelsea players respect and admire Mourinho by the way they praise him in interviews and hug him during goal celebrations. He has got his players totally committed and united. John Terry and Frank Lampard amazed me last season. They improved so much in terms of technique and maturity and made a huge difference to Chelsea."

Magnificent Makelele
But appropriately the 28-year-old reserves his warmest words for a fellow unsung hero, content to operate in the shadows while others take the plaudits. "I'd like to praise Claude Makelele's role in their success," he said. "Very few people pay attention to him in a match but his presence in the squad gives Lampard more freedom to attack and organise play, while providing the back four with so much support and security. He is such a key player in their team."

Other contenders
Gilberto also points out there will be other teams fighting to topple Chelsea. "We mustn't forget Manchester United and Liverpool [FC]," he said. "They have both improved their squads and will be stronger this year. Manchester United are always a threat, but Liverpool are on the up and may well be strong contenders for the Premiership."

Boots to fill
As Gilberto enters the final term of his four-year contract with the Gunners, and with a World Cup on the horizon, he acknowledges it is a vital season for him. "It is a very big year for me," he said. "Patrick has left, and I will have more responsibility, but I am ready for the challenge." notas_de_prensa_archivo