Arsenal 'Invincible' Claims Gunners Need to Find Player to Fill His Former Role

Ex-Arsenal star Gilberto Silva has possibly diagnosed the reason behind Arsenal's struggles since they last won the Premier League title. The 41-year-old spent

Ex-Arsenal star Gilberto Silva has possibly diagnosed the reason behind Arsenal's struggles since they last won the Premier League title.

The 41-year-old spent six years at Arsenal, helping them win the league title in 2003/04 - in a season during which they famously went unbeaten - as well as two FA Cups. The Brazilian was also in the side that made it to the 2006 Champions League final.

Silva made his name as a dominant, ball-winning defensive midfielder and the Gunners - by the man's own estimation - haven't had a player as effective in his position since, although he does admit there have been two players who have been close.

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The World Cup winner also reckons the side need to find a player in his mould if they want to compete at the highest level again.

"You cannot blame the player for this but they need to find a player who can play there," he told Sky Sports’ The Debate (as quoted by the Metro).

"The role is to play simple. I couldn’t do the same as Henry, Ronaldo and the like and you have to know this to play there.

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"I thought Alex Song could have been the one to do this role but he went to West Ham and Barcelona.

"[Mathieu] Flamini in my last season he did a great job which is why I didn’t play which was very frustrating for me."

Francis Coquelin was tipped to become that midfield enforcer the Gunners so desperately need after a fruitful spell in the 2015/16 season. But Gilberto revealed that he was never convinced by the Frenchman.

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"I remember hearing a comparison with Coquelin when he was playing but when I started to see him I could see there was something missing in his game to be a holding midfielder and sacrifice himself for the team."

Coquelin has since left the club, completing a move to Valencia in January after falling short of expectations and leaving Arsenal to continue their search for a world-class defensive midfielder.