Gilberto: first trophy key

FORMER Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva is confident one trophy will spark a bigger haul for the Gunners. The Brazilian won the Premier League as a member of the 2003/04 side and played his part in the 2005 FA Cup victory – Arsenal’s last trophy.

“I’m sure that despite the two defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea, Arsenal can make things change,’’ Gilberto said. “They must believe in themselves, in their quality. They must believe in themselves that they can win their remaining games.

“Arsenal need to achieve the first trophy to feel that they can do it, because for a player it is very frustrating when you go through a whole season and have been very close, but at the end you don’t get the reward.

“I’m sure if Arsenal win their first trophy, they are very young and their confidence will be higher and they can win more and more. It’s up to them to believe that they can.”

Meanwhile Arsenal are showing a keen interest in Ajax starlet Christian Eriksen and Arsene Wenger hopes to wrap up a deal.

The 18-year-old is earning rave reviews after breaking into the Ajax first team and former Gunners star Dennis Bergkamp, who is now a coach with the Dutch giants, has told Wenger he will be a star of the future.

Ajax boss Martin Jol knows he is going to face a battle to keep hold of the player but will do everything he can to get him tied down.

“Christian recently turned 18 and we can now offer him a lengthy contract.

“His current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2011,” Jol revealed.

“However, we are eager to offer him a new contract in the upcoming weeks.

“We want Christian to stay in Amsterdam for several more years.

” It all depends on what the player himself wants though.”