Arsene Wenger said ‘nobody speaks about’ one Arsenal Invincible, but it’s why he’s so special

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Arsene Wenger is responsible for unearthing some of Arsenal’s greatest gems but, one seems to slip under the radar.

It’s difficult to believe that the last time Arsenal won the Premier League, the Gunners went unbeaten.

Wenger led his side to go invincible in the 2003/04 campaign, failing to lose a single game throughout the Premier League calendar.

While the reason for Arsenal’s decline after the Invincibles has been outlined, the achievement of the 2003/04 season is referenced year upon year as clubs try, and fail, to replicate it.

• READ MORE: Who are The Invincibles? Meet the Arsenal record-breakers who became Premier League legends

Arsene Wenger names Gilberto Silva as his most underrated player

For all of Pep Guardiola’s records in the Premier League with Manchester City, and Alex Ferguson’s highs at Manchester United, no club can replicate what Wenger did.

Going unbeaten for an entire season is a remarkable achievement in the Premier League, arguably the most competitive domestic league in world football.

While Wenger deserves immense credit for building and coaching his players to go invincible, the former Arsenal manager will never pass at the chance to put his squad under the spotlight. 

From Thierry Henry to Sol Campbell, the Invincibles squad is one that will forever be remembered but, Wenger himself insisted that one star is consistently overlooked. 

Speaking to Ian Wright in 2021 for Sport Bible, the Arsenal icon revealed who his most underrated player was, not hesitating to say Gilberto Silva. 

“Gilberto Silva. He was naturally discreet, I remember when I bought him in 2002, he was in Japan at the World Cup and I looked at him and thought he doesn’t make anything special,” Wenger said.

“…And then to think ‘Who won this ball?’ Gilberto Silva, ‘Who played this ball?’ Gilberto Silva.”

Wenger went on to explain that Gilberto not being spoken about was why he was so special, insisting that people only missed the Brazilian when he wasn’t there.

“I tried to buy him and after that I would say in the Invcibles, nobody speaks about Gilberto. He’s the kind of player that you see only how much you miss them when they don’t play, when you play you find it all natural.”

Gilberto’s Arsenal career

Gilberto made 32 league appearances during the 2003/04 season, contributing to eight goals with four goals and four assists.

After six years in North London, the Brazilian called time on his Arsenal career in 2008, ironically enjoying his best scoring campaign the year prior, netting 10 goals in 2006/07.

With 244 appearances, 24 goals and 14 assists, Gilberto will forever be remembered at Arsenal, not only for his contribution in the Invincible season but, for being a model professional.

Wenger saw the true quality of his silent assassin, with Gilberto one of the best defensive midfielders in the club’s history.