Arsenal icon Gilberto Silva recalls ‘important’ landmark vs Aston Villa, says one player ‘helped a lot’

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The 2006-07 season was one of the most significant in Arsenal’s history, as they moved to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger’s side exited Highbury as Champions League finalists, after 93 years at the iconic stadium, and moved to the Emirates in 2006.

It was a time of significant change for Arsenal, as legends such as Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires left, with Pires departing as he was furious at Wenger or substituting him in the defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

However, some members of the Invincibles squad still remained, and midfielder Gilberto Silva was a crucial part of the team.

Arsenal’s first-ever Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium came against Aston Villa, but things did not go entirely as planned.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s top European nights at Highbury and Emirates Stadium

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Aston Villa in first game at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal’s opening game at the Emirates came on August 19th, 2006, at home to Marin O’Neill’s Aston Villa.

However, it was hardly the best welcome as Olof Mellberg headed in from a corner to give Villa the lead in the second half.

Arsenal were staring down the barrel of a home defeat to kick off their new era until Gilberto stepped up to equalise late on.

Young sensation Theo Walcott cut inside from the left and whipped in a cross, which Robin van Persie attempted to nod on. The ball fell to Gilberto in space, and he smashed it into the roof of the net to send the North Bank wild for the first time ever.

Gilberto has now spoken about his iconic goal, and highlighted the roles Van Persie and Walcott played in the build-up.

Gilberto Silva remembers his goal against Aston Villa in Emirates Stadium opening

Speaking to Arsenal media, Gilberto spoke to Walcott, and the pair rewatched the goal.

“I’m claiming that assist, but I know there was a little touch by someone. Look at that celebration,” Walcott pointed out.

“Van Persie helped a lot, I didn’t remember if the touch was from him,” Gilberto replied.

“This was in the last few minutes wasn’t it, because you were never normally that far up the field,” Walcott asked Gilberto.

“I had to go. We could not lose the first match. It would have been bad luck. I have watched this goal back many times,” Gilberto responded.

“It’s not very common that I score, but some goals have been very important in my career. Especially at Arsenal, this is one where I went up top and scored, being the first Arsenal player to score at the Emirates.”

Arsenal had a tough opening season at the Emirates as they finished fourth and suffered early exits in the cups, but it was always going to be a transitional season, and Gilberto really stepped up as a leader in the squad in that campaign.