Gilberto Silva has praised Declan Rice and Kai Havertz as great signings, with the duo playing a starring role in Tuesday’s win away at Luton Town.
Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva knows a thing or two about settling down at a club quickly.
The Brazilian midfielder scored the winning goal on his Arsenal debut in the Community Shield back in 2002, and he went on to win five trophies in the next three years, including an unbeaten Premier League season.
Gilberto joined Arsenal for £4.5m, but the Gunners made two signings for many times that figure this summer, bringing in Kai Havertz for £65m and Declan Rice for £105m.
Speaking to Daily Cannon this week, Gilberto gave his thoughts on the two midfielders.
“Great signings, great players,” Gilberto began.
“Maybe for Declan, it seems a little bit easier for him to adapt, because Arsenal at the moment need a player in that position. Xhaka left the club and there was a role to be filled.
“And with Partey’s injury, it made things a little bit more simple for Dec to be there and to fill the role.
“But for me, it seems like it was so easy for him to adapt. It seems that he knew the team and the club for such a long time because he’s a good player.
“Good players, they know how to fit. They adapt, they’re fast to adapt.”
Playing a starring role in Arsenal’s table-topping side, it’s not hard to sing Rice’s praises.
On top of his battling midfield performances, he’s also popped up with a few vital goals, against Manchester United, Chelsea, and Luton Town.
Havertz hasn’t always had it so easy. The former Chelsea man initially struggled to find the net, and his performances were somewhat inconsistent.
Yet that’s started to change in recent weeks. Havertz has three goals in his last four games, including a crucial equaliser against Luton Town on Tuesday night.
Gilberto admitted he’s pleased to see how the 24-year-old has turned things around.
“Kai faced a little bit of difficulty at the beginning, but now it’s getting better for him,” Gilberto told Daily Cannon.
“He’s turned things around. I’m sure he’s working hard, he’s getting the confidence of Mikel and the whole team, and the whole club, which is important in the process.
“Despite the fact that he was in a Premier League club before, it’s a completely different way of playing football at Arsenal and Chelsea.
“Now, I’m sure he’s more confident. The resilience to work hard to change things around, you have to be very strong.
“Well done to him that he’s turned things around.”
Former professional footballer Gilberto Silva is the newest ambassador for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). CALM stands united against suicide and as part of his signing, Silva will help raise awareness of rising suicide rates in the UK, which sees 125 lives lost to suicide each week.
1 in 5 people in the UK will experience suicidal thoughts and CALM is there every day to help anyone who’s struggling see that things can change.
To find out more about CALM, services or for support or advice, visit thecalmzone.net.