Gilberto Silva says Arsenal have more than enough firepower to defeat Manchester City and Liverpool to the Premier League title this season, though believes the club should further strengthen by signing Douglas Luiz in the summer.
Arsenal – last year’s runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League – sit top of the English top flight, ahead of second-placed Liverpool on goal difference after 28 games.
The Gunners’ title credentials were called into question over a difficult winter period, in which the side managed just one win in seven in all competitions, but Mikel Arteta’s men have bounced back emphatically in recent weeks.
A rampant 5-0 win at home to Crystal Palace proved a major turning point and the north London giants have won all seven of their subsequent league matches, including a statement 3-1 defeat of title rivals Liverpool at the start of February.
After the international break, Arsenal travel to champions City for what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Etihad and Gilberto hopes Arteta’s players are ‘relishing’ the challenge of competing with the very best.
‘It won’t be easy. But I do think Arsenal can win the Premier League,’ Gilberto told Caught Offside when asked about his former club’s title hopes.
‘Last year they came so close. I was very sad for them. I know what it’s like to come close to success then lose. I had it in the 2006 Champions League final.
‘Arsenal has a very good team right now, and there is a hunger to win. When I speak to [sporting director] Edu that’s always clear.
‘So now they need a big effort because it’s not going to be easy to finish above Liverpool and Manchester City.’
Looking ahead to the trip to City, the ex-Arsenal midfielder added: ‘These types of games are the ones football players relish.
‘You need to raise your game and focus. Most players like this. Arsenal has a great opportunity in front of them.’
Arsenal have been credited with a strong interest in Douglas Luiz in recent transfer windows, but Aston Villa have managed to fend off their advances and are reportedly a demanding a fee in excess of £70m for the Brazil midfielder.
‘I think he’ll be expensive because he’s in good form,’ Gilberto said when quizzed on Arsenal’s pursuit of his fellow countryman.
‘I am just happy to see another Brazilian doing a great job in the Premier League. Any top club would want him right now, so why not Arsenal?
‘I think it would be a great move for the club and for him as well.’
Declan Rice has excelled at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield following a club-record summer move from West Ham and Gilberto believes the England international deserves great credit for settling in and ‘adapting’ so quickly.
‘I hear many experts saying the role has changed, but I’m not entirely convinced,’ the Arsenal Invincible stated.
‘For me, the basic ideas stay the same. I still see Declan as a defensive midfielder who shields the defense and supports the attackers. It's the same task I was given.
‘What's really crucial in the position is the passing. It doesn't matter how many balls you retrieve if you then just lose control. So you need a vision: to understand how you're going to get the ball and then what you will do with it.
‘Declan does this really well. He never moves back or forward without a plan and physically he's very strong, and the amazing part is he's still improving.
‘I think he's been outstanding for Arsenal. It just seems like he has been part of the club and its players for a long time. He's adapted so quickly since coming from West Ham.
‘I also think he can play with either Thomas Partey or Jorginho. I know they play more or less in the same position, but because Rice is flexible their abilities work well together.’
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