Wenger hails ‘100% professional’ Gilberto
The veteran Brazilian skipper has seen himself only a bit-part player this season as Mathieu Flamini and Cesc Fabregas have forged a formidable partnership in midfield.
Wenger has often asked the 31-year-old to fill in at centre-half when needed, such at Tottenham earlier this season.
With Philippe Senderos still nursing a back problem as well as a showdown against Manchester United on Saturday to bear in mind, it was a request which looked likely to come again at Bramall Lane.
However, reports have suggested Gilberto was less than impressed by his lack of action and his regular deployment away from a favoured midfield role this season and was set to be left out of tonight’s game altogether as a result, fuelling speculation he could be set to leave when the transfer window opens in January.
Wenger, however, last night denied a bust-up with the 2002 World Cup winner.
“I deny that categorically,” he said. “I find this assessment disrespectful to a great professional like Gilberto. He is 100% professional and is in the squad. He will play.”
Wenger continued: “I believe that as a manager and as a player you always have one thing in your mind and that is what is good for the club and the team and I cannot fault Gilberto on that since he arrived here.”
Wenger has vowed to give the fringe players a chance to impress against the Blades.
That should mean a start for Polish keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
“You could see Justin Hoyte and (Alex) Song, (Theo) Walcott maybe and Eduardo will play, so we will a strong squad there,” added the Gunners boss.
“Eduardo needs a run and he needs some confidence but I see the first six months as an adaptation period for anybody, and that is what he is going through at the moment.”
For the Blades keeper Paddy Kenny is sidelined with a badly bruised shin, so Ian Bennett will be in goal.
Gary Cahill and Phil Bardsley are both cup-tied so Chris Morgan and Chris Lucketti could earn recalls.
Meanwhile UEFA president Michel Platini has criticised Arsene Wenger’s policy of bringing teenage players to the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal boss has carved out a reputation as one of European football’s premier talent spotters, with Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby among a string of youngsters who have played pivotal roles in the club’s rise to the summit of the Barclays Premier League this season.
But Platini disapproves of his compatriot’s approach in the transfer market and would rather see young players further their football education at their local club before moving on to one of Europe’s major forces.
“I do not like the system of Arsene Wenger,” he said.
“In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14,15 or 16.
‘‘I don’t like that.’’
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