Premier League - Gilberto tells Melo: Move to Arsenal

Eurosport - Mon, 29 Jun 14:03:00 2009

Former Arsenal captain Gilberto Silva has urged Brazil team-mate Felipe Melo to join the Gunners.

FOOTBALL 2008/09 Uefa Cup Fiorentina-Ajax Felipe Melo Anita - 0

Arsene Wenger's side are reportedly interested in acquiring the accomplished holding midfielder (pictured, on the right) from Serie A side Fiorentina.

"We heard rumours and he asked me," Gilberto told BBC Sport. "I said it's a fantastic club and if he's interested he should go without thinking."

The former Arsenal man added: "He is exactly what they need - a powerful player with quality. If they got him it would be great because he is a player they need at the moment.

"I'm sure if they got him it would be a good signing. I have told him Arsenal is a great club and I am sure next season they will improve."

PA Sport

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  1. i think he signed a one-year extension with fiorentina­ so hes not coming to emirates this summer, but quality­ player we could need him

    From Qtieboy, on Tue 30 Jun 10:24PM

  2. respect the man who was left 2 leave the club­ unceremoniously, Gilberto is a born leader. Should have­ been kept at the gunners, as a captain. Am sure his­ recommendation of Melo should b taken seriously!

    From fnyambondo, on Tue 30 Jun 9:00PM

  3. Arsen Wenger should cash in on the performance of melo­ in the just concluded Confederations Cup @#$% the­ influence Gilberto Sylva had already made to bring this­ guy to the Emirates. We need a solid performer day in­ day out. GO GO GUNNERS
    (McCarthy Warri, Nigeria)

    From mckoyng, on Tue 30 Jun 10:46AM

  4. great ambassador gilberto is ,wat a person after his­ exit from arsenal to represent arsenal well melo is­ great and will be needed rto fill the vacum flamini­ left behind bring him on prof,and if benzema kows watn­ is good for himself he should come to us.pls wenger we­ need i.k uche the getafe striker,cos he is better than­ all the striker we have pls bring him on board.up­ gunners for life.Obitunde Oluweseyi the president NAPS­ IFE

    From marktplaats.mark6, on Mon 29 Jun 11:35PM

  5. great ambassador gilberto is ,wat a person after his­ exit from arsenal to represent arsenal well melo is­ great and will be needed rto fill the vacum flamini­ left behind bring him on prof,and if benzema kows watn­ is good for himself he should come to us.pls wenger we­ need i.k uche the getafe striker,cos he is better than­ all the striker we have pls bring him on board.up­ gunners for life.Obitunde Oluweseyi the president NAPS­ IFE

    From marktplaats.mark6, on Mon 29 Jun 11:35PM

  6. reply to comment 9:
    we need to sale bendtner,eboue and­ we can play song as centre back and we should buy­ benzema- is the next theirry henry and melto- is the­ next viera

    From Peter, on Mon 29 Jun 7:45PM

  7. gunners need someone like flamini..and not like­ denilson..do u think melo can replace flamini?

    From Fazreen A, on Mon 29 Jun 6:06PM

  8. Yeah, I think Melo is a going to be a great buy.And he­ is so young, strong, skillfull with an eye for­ dissecting passes-a great combination for our­ Prof.

    From YYY

    From Yemi Y, on Mon 29 Jun 5:33PM

  9. melo is the type of player arsenal need. gr8 to c­ gilberto being an ambassador for the great club he­ played 4
    gooner till i die

    From Kez, on Mon 29 Jun 4:43PM

  10. Arsenal lacks defensive players and melo is exactly who­ we need. You'll see they will do better next­ season. United, chelsea, liverpool suck. Go gunners!

    From kapecstary, on Mon 29 Jun 4:03PM

  11. no no no number 10. melo = CDM, fabregas = CM which­ means they play next to eachother not that cesc has to­ leave. also five of those players you named are­ wingers/strikers so they have no relevance to whether­ cesc leaves (which he wont). and the more of them the­ better as when there is competition for places the­ players are forced to improve themselves. so it's­ all good.

    From liam, on Mon 29 Jun 3:37PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    if we get melo then fabragas will leave we have too­ much in­ midfield

    fabragas,
    denilson,
    rosicky,
    song,
    eboue,
    ash­ avin,
    nasri,
    ramsey,
    wallcot

    we cant play them all.

    From Robie, on Mon 29 Jun 3:14PM

  13. watched him last night against the Americans and­ thought he was great and has showed good quaility and­ ambition throughtout the confederations cup so i think­ he will be a great signing for the arsenal. thanx to­ gilberto for being a true gunner ambassador too wish u­ success. gooner 4ever

    From edwin, on Mon 29 Jun 2:41PM

  14. Melo is the right player we need, Wenger please bring­ him.
    Emmanuel

    From Eneojo, on Mon 29 Jun 1:31PM

  15. GILBERTO WAS A BORN LEADER IN WHICH WE REALLY MISS, IT­ SHOWS WHAT A TRUE GENT BY TELLING HIS FELLOW COUNTRYMAN­ TO JOIN US AFTER THE WAY HE WAS TREATED AT ARSENAL LETS­ WELCOME MELO WITH OPEN ARMS

    From Kevin, on Mon 29 Jun 1:29PM

  16. Melo is all we need to win d premiership this season.­ Go 4 him Prof.....

    From aaalvinoo, on Mon 29 Jun 1:17PM

  17. I agree with number 3. Infact Gilberto was supposed to­ be our captain not Cesc or Gallas comes close to him­ when it comes to leadership qualities. Kolo may be­ closer. Letting Gilberto leave was Arsenal's­ greatest mistake.

    From Levison, on Mon 29 Jun 12:30PM

  18. The truth is Gilberto has been badly missed by all­ Arsenal supporters. He is the type of player we need:­ who can play a solid defensive role in midfield and­ pass the ball around. And there was also experience­ too. We should never let Gilberto go. Can we not have­ both Gilberto and Melo, Prof Wenger, Pleeeeeeeeease!

    From imperialcbs, on Mon 29 Jun 11:51AM

  19. He is welcome!

    From Luxy, on Mon 29 Jun 11:42AM

  20. arsenal should go for melo, because we need midfieder­ badly, tope makanjuola

    From makanjuola t, on Mon 29 Jun 11:14AM
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