EXCLUSIVE

Gilberto Silva has backed former Arsenal team-mates Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry to find success in management, but doubts the latter would be ready to succeed Arsene Wenger.

Another former member of the Invincibles side, Robert Pires, had said earlier in the week that he believes Arsenal’s record goal scorer would the right man to take the reins at the Emirates when the 66-year-old incumbent moves on.

Henry has been coaching at under-19 level in recent months and has earned growing popularity among his young charges. Forward Alex Iwobi paid tribute to his mentor after a Uefa Youth League match against Bayern Munich, saying working with Henry was “learning from the best”.

Whilst Gilberto, who travels to London next week for the Street Child United Gala Dinner at the Emirates, has no doubt that Henry will be a success, he suspects that succeeding Wenger might be too much too soon for his former team-mate.

“Maybe one day he could be Arsenal manager,” he told Standard Sport.

“For Thierry when Wenger leaves be quite soon. Maybe he needs more time, but one day he can do it.

“He’s doing the right thing working with the youngsters, he’s learning day by day. He knows Arsenal.”

Five of the best goals of the Arsene Wenger era 5 show all Five of the best goals of the Arsene Wenger era 1/5 Nwankwo Kanu, Chelsea, October 1999 A moment of impudent brilliance from the Nigerian striker, who earned himself fan favourite status in a year where his stock trade seemed to be brilliant goals. This just edges out a sublime backheel against Middlesbrough as it gave Arsenal fans the chance to celebrate an incredible comeback from 2-0 down, all scored by Kanu.



Ed De Goey rushed off his line towards the right flank to compete with the striker for a ball, but Kanu was there first. Having beaten the keeper he still had to find the net from an improbable angle as two Chelsea defenders guarded it. He fired a powerful effort over Marcel Desailly that Frank Lebouef could only flick into the net. Graham Chadwick/All Sport 2/5 Dennis Bergkamp, Newcastle United, March 2002 A viable contender for the greatest goal of its type ever scored, and the strike that Arsenal fans voted the best in their club’s history.



In slow motion it looks stunning but at full speed the genius of Bergkamp shines through. The Dutch talisman flicked a powerful Robert Pires pass around his left-hand side with his right foot, leaving Niko Dabizas on the backfoot, before holding off his defender and opening his body to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner. 3/5 Thierry Henry, Liverpool, April 2004 As great a goal for its context as the actual moment, though the finish itself will live long in the memory. After crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the preceding week Arsenal’s unbeaten record and title hopes were on the line as they trailed 2-1 at half-time.



Robert Pires had dragged them back to 2-2 before Henry picked up the ball just inside the Liverpool half. Having cruised past Dietmar Hamann he then so comprehensively befuddled Jamie Carragher that the defender went flying into Igor Biscan. Henry then slotted into the bottom corner for a crucial win in Arsenal’s Invincible season. 4/5 Robin van Persie, Charlton Athletic, September 2006 Many of the best Arsenal goals have been delicate finishes. This was anything but. A cross from Emmanuel Eboue came out to the edge of the area, where Van Persie seemed to fly towards the ball, left foot first, to hammer a wonderful first-time volley into the net.



Like his compatriot Bergkamp Van Persie had an enviable collection of outstanding goals for Arsenal. That this was the best should prove how special it was. 5/5 Eduardo, Burnley, March 2009 Though he never truly recovered from his broken leg in 2008 he provided Arsenal with one unforgettable moment in the FA Cup against Burnley.



Alex Song lofted a ball over the defence that was inches behind the Croatian international. It was no problem for Eduardo though, who volleyed the ball with his heel into the roof of the net. As Peter Drury put it in his commentary: “How dare you be that good.” 1/5 Nwankwo Kanu, Chelsea, October 1999 A moment of impudent brilliance from the Nigerian striker, who earned himself fan favourite status in a year where his stock trade seemed to be brilliant goals. This just edges out a sublime backheel against Middlesbrough as it gave Arsenal fans the chance to celebrate an incredible comeback from 2-0 down, all scored by Kanu.



Ed De Goey rushed off his line towards the right flank to compete with the striker for a ball, but Kanu was there first. Having beaten the keeper he still had to find the net from an improbable angle as two Chelsea defenders guarded it. He fired a powerful effort over Marcel Desailly that Frank Lebouef could only flick into the net. Graham Chadwick/All Sport 2/5 Dennis Bergkamp, Newcastle United, March 2002 A viable contender for the greatest goal of its type ever scored, and the strike that Arsenal fans voted the best in their club’s history.



In slow motion it looks stunning but at full speed the genius of Bergkamp shines through. The Dutch talisman flicked a powerful Robert Pires pass around his left-hand side with his right foot, leaving Niko Dabizas on the backfoot, before holding off his defender and opening his body to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner. 3/5 Thierry Henry, Liverpool, April 2004 As great a goal for its context as the actual moment, though the finish itself will live long in the memory. After crashing out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the preceding week Arsenal’s unbeaten record and title hopes were on the line as they trailed 2-1 at half-time.



Robert Pires had dragged them back to 2-2 before Henry picked up the ball just inside the Liverpool half. Having cruised past Dietmar Hamann he then so comprehensively befuddled Jamie Carragher that the defender went flying into Igor Biscan. Henry then slotted into the bottom corner for a crucial win in Arsenal’s Invincible season. 4/5 Robin van Persie, Charlton Athletic, September 2006 Many of the best Arsenal goals have been delicate finishes. This was anything but. A cross from Emmanuel Eboue came out to the edge of the area, where Van Persie seemed to fly towards the ball, left foot first, to hammer a wonderful first-time volley into the net.



Like his compatriot Bergkamp Van Persie had an enviable collection of outstanding goals for Arsenal. That this was the best should prove how special it was. 5/5 Eduardo, Burnley, March 2009 Though he never truly recovered from his broken leg in 2008 he provided Arsenal with one unforgettable moment in the FA Cup against Burnley.



Alex Song lofted a ball over the defence that was inches behind the Croatian international. It was no problem for Eduardo though, who volleyed the ball with his heel into the roof of the net. As Peter Drury put it in his commentary: “How dare you be that good.”

Henry is not the only member of the Invincibles side to have worked in youth development. His former captain Vieira served as Manchester City’s head of training and youth development before this week moving on to take over the management position at sister club New York City FC.

Gilberto’s partnership with Vieira gave Arsenal the most formidable central midfield in the league, and the Brazilian expects his friend to apply the same determination he showed at Highbury to his new role.

He said: “Patrick is a smart guy with a strong personality. He’ll be a success in everything he does, for his character and attitude.

“He’s a winner; he’ll carry that for the rest of his life.

“I hope one days he returns to Arsenal. I cannot judge why he became so involved with Manchester City. He’s a big idol at the Emirates. It would be good to have him back.”

Gilberto Silva is an Ambassador for UK charity Street Child United, which uses the power of sport and the arts to challenge the negative perceptions and treatment of street children worldwide.

Gilberto will be a special guest at the 2015 Street Child United Gala Dinner on Thursday 19th November at the Emirates Stadium. Tickets are still available www.streetchildunited.org