Wiltord named Player of the Month

Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord has been named as the first Barclaycard Player of the Month of the new season.

Wiltord has picked up the accolade having bagged four goals in four Barclaycard Premiership games which have helped the Gunners climb to second in the table.

The award rounds off an impressive few weeks for Wiltord, who also scored the winner in France’s opening Euro 2004 qualifier against Cyprus on Saturday.

The decision was made by the Barclaycard Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football’s governing bodies, the media and fans.

A statement from the panel read: “It is usually his international strike partner Thierry Henry that grabs the headlines, but Wiltord’s start of season form has been electric.

“His skill on the ball and pace when running at defenders make him a real threat to opposition sides and if his goal scoring exploits continue he must be an early contender for the Barclaycard Golden Boot.”